In a recent video, CrossFit YouTuber and “no-rep police” Andrew Hiller broke down a wave of penalties handed out following video reviews of the 2025 Semifinals.
His headline? A massive score adjustment for Wells, a 9-time CrossFit Games veteran, due to serious judging violations. And according to Hiller, this was just the beginning.
So, what went wrong—and what does this mean for the sport?
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A High-Profile Mistake with Big Consequences
Wells, one of the most recognized figures in CrossFit with nearly 2 million Instagram followers, saw her performance in Workout 1 take a dramatic hit after being penalized for two major infractions: burpees that didn’t meet the standard and failing to face the camera during her muscle-ups.
The result?
Her score dropped from 120 reps to just 57, a more than 50% penalty—and enough to knock her out of automatic qualification for the Games.
The Burpee Breakdown
According to Hiller, the core issue lies in basic movement standards—specifically, the requirement that the athlete’s chest must touch the ground during burpees.
Despite being judged in person and submitting official video footage, Hiller says it’s “undeniable” that Wells failed to meet the standard on most reps.
“I put it on Instagram. 13,000 people agreed—they weren’t burpees,” Hiller said. “Only three were counted. Three! And she had a judge watching her.”
The video review, which Hiller analyzed frame by frame using zoom and wide-angle features on his phone, showed Wells performing burpees where her shoulders never dropped below the elbows, a key visual cue for full range of motion.
Even more shocking: This isn’t the first time. Hiller referenced previous Games footage—such as during the “Happy Star” event in 2020—where similar issues occurred.
Muscle-Up Mishap: A Technical Error with Heavy Cost
In addition to the burpee issue, Wells was also penalized for not facing the camera during her muscle-up reps. According to the official rules, athletes must face the camera for judging purposes. Wells did not.
That seemingly minor oversight resulted in every muscle-up rep being invalidated.
“Fifty-three muscle-ups—gone. That’s what happens when you don’t follow the video guidelines,” Hiller said. “How does a Games athlete not see this coming?”
He points out that many other athletes go to extreme lengths to prevent exactly this kind of penalty—filming from multiple angles, reading the rulebook dozens of times, even getting second opinions before submitting their scores.
This Isn’t an Isolated Case
While Wells’ penalty is the most high-profile, she’s far from the only athlete affected.
Several other top female competitors took significant hits:
- Kyra Milligan: Dropped from 117 to 84 reps in Workout 1, losing her qualifying spot.
- Carolyn Stanley: Penalized from 131 to 104 reps.
- Olivia Kerstetter: Score dropped from 115 to 95.
- Arielle Loewen: Took a penalty in Workout 2, falling from 10:16 to 11:34.
- James Sprague (Men’s division): Penalized in Workout 2 for unclear reasons—possibly range of motion on GHD sit-ups.
Many penalties centered around movement standards and camera compliance, underscoring just how critical these rules are.
Why This Matters for the Sport
At first glance, this could look like harsh policing—but Hiller and many others argue it’s vital for fairness.
The CrossFit Games are elite competition. Getting there requires not just fitness, but also accountability, attention to detail, and compliance with standards.
“You think you go directly to the Games just because you think you should? No,” Hiller said. “This crap is serious, and it has to remain serious.”
This isn’t the first time a high-level athlete has been penalized in the online stage. Paige Powers saw her 2023 season derailed over a step-up violation. Patrick Vellner nearly missed the Semifinals due to a major penalty.
The message? Nobody is immune. Not even veterans. Not even fan favorites.
Could This Have Been Prevented?
Perhaps the most frustrating aspect of Wells’ penalty is how avoidable it seems.
Hiller suggests a basic level of video review by her team could have prevented the entire situation.
“There wasn’t anybody there telling her to do it again,” he said. “No one said, ‘These burpees don’t look right.’”
With the rise of online qualifiers, where video submission is the primary method of scoring, ensuring proper technique and video compliance isn’t optional—it’s essential.
Many athletes now use multiple camera angles, rewatch footage several times, and even consult coaches or judges before submitting.
In elite sport, small details separate winners from everyone else.
The Takeaway for Athletes and Fans
For athletes: This is a wake-up call. Review your reps. Read the rules. Double-check your angles. Don’t assume reputation or experience will protect you.
For fans: It’s a reminder that CrossFit is evolving. With higher stakes and more transparency than ever, fairness is taking center stage—even if it means tough calls against big names.
And for Brooke Wells? The road to the 2025 CrossFit Games just got harder.
She’ll now need to compete again at a different event to earn her spot back.
But for someone who’s made it to the Games nearly every year for the past decade, she’s no stranger to comebacks.
The question is—will the attention to detail catch up with her dedication this time around?
