News
March 2026
By Jeremiah Oliva
Rising CrossFit star Olivia Kerstetter delivered an impressive performance at the live announcement of Open Workout 26.3, taking the win in Miami against a stacked field of elite competitors.
The announcement took place at Gymreapers Wodapalooza on Miami Beach, where Kerstetter raced head-to-head with Arielle Loewen and Danielle Brandon. Kerstetter maintained a strong pace throughout the workout and ultimately recorded 285 reps, beating Loewen and Brandon by 8 and 11 reps respectively.
One of CrossFit’s Fastest Rising Athletes
Kerstetter is without doubt one of the most exciting young athletes in the sport. The American competitor is already a two-time CrossFit Games athlete and achieved a major breakthrough in 2025 when she finished third overall, earning the title of Fittest American Woman on Earth.
Her progress has also extended beyond the Games season. As part of the inaugural World Fitness Project, Kerstetter recorded several strong finishes across the WFP Tour, including multiple top-10 event placements and two second-place finishes at the Indianapolis Pro.
At just 20 years old, she continues to establish herself as a serious contender in the sport’s next generation of elite athletes.
A Difficult Start to the Season
Her victory in Miami is even more notable considering the challenges she faced earlier in 2026.
In February, Kerstetter spent several days in hospital after developing a cellulitis staph infection that began with a cut on her knee. The infection caused severe swelling, fever and significant pain, forcing her to pause training while doctors monitored the situation.
Fortunately, the infection did not spread to her bloodstream or knee joint. After five days in the hospital and a recovery period at home, Kerstetter gradually returned to the gym.
Back to Training and Competition
Kerstetter shared several updates on social media documenting her return to training. In the weeks leading up to the CrossFit Open announcement, she posted workouts including bar muscle-ups, Echo Bike sprints, wall balls and double-unders as she rebuilt her fitness.
Just days before traveling to Miami, she shared her final training session before the 26.3 announcement, writing: “last workout before heading to MIAMI, 26.3 announcement comin up real soon.”
Her win during the live announcement suggests that the recovery process is already paying off.
With the 2026 CrossFit season continuing to unfold, Kerstetter’s performance in Miami reinforces her status as one of the sport’s most promising young athletes.
About The Author
Jeremiah Oliva is a writer passionate about fitness, sports, and active living. He has experience in songwriting and managing content and social media for online radio and magazine platforms.
He covers HYROX, CrossFit®, and competitive fitness, with a focus on performance, mindset, and athlete development.
Outside of writing, Jeremiah trains in boxing, cycles, explores the outdoors with his kids, and plays the guitar.
