In the women's race to the 2016 CrossFit Games, the dark horses are many and powerful. They include a former gymnast, triathlete, and even a Ph.D student who are all at various stages in their CrossFit careers.

Here are the top five women who might surprise you on the way to this year’s Games:

Caroline Dardini

[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BDlkjHFn6vi" hide_caption="0"]

It’s hard to believe Dardini, who took fourth worldwide after the 2016 Open, can be considered a dark horse after sweeping the Mid-Atlantic Open with three first places, one second, and one third. But in the three years she has competed, Caroline has yet to make it to the Games.

That said, she has gotten stronger each year (perhaps due to her workout regimen or her diet that she said includes cookies and Red Bull). Last year, she placed eighth at Regionals, and if she continues on her current trajectory, there’s a good chance she’ll be on her way to Carson, California.

Alexis Johnson

[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BEm0iIekwxP" hide_caption="0"]

She brings serious brains and brawn to the equation. A Ph.D student in mathematics, Johnson is a numbers girl, and she is very good at adding weight to the bar. She took first at the South Central Open and ninth worldwide, and has one of the strongest performances heading into the South Region. Johnson’s chances look promising.

Tasia Percevecz

[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BEhNYqaimBc" hide_caption="0"]

A collegiate gymnast until 2012, Percevecz started CrossFit the following year and took 395th in the Open after a month of training. She got 64th the following year, then fourth in 2015 and 2016. Percevecz is shaping up to be a strong contender in the East Regional, but will go up against Katrin Davidsdottir, Kari Pearce, Sarah Scholl, and Chelsey Hughes—all familiar faces at the CrossFit Games. Every woman in that region will need to fight tooth-and-nail to get out of it.

Kristi Eramo

[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BEqvY2jNurZ" hide_caption="0"]

She’s heading back to the Central Regional after placing 10th last year. Standing 5-2, Eramo is small, but mighty. As a triathlete, Eramo has the endurance element down. Strength and skill held her back when she started in 2013, but after putting on 10 pounds of muscle, she became a force to be reckoned with. This year, she’s leading the Central East athletes into Central Regionals. Backed by another year of experience, she’s stronger than ever.

Alea Helmick

[instagram url="https://www.instagram.com/p/BEbf3ottJ1a" hide_caption="0"]

Not necessarily an unknown commodity, Helmick made it to Regionals multiple times with strong performances, but couldn’t make it out of the stacked Atlantic Regional last year. This time around, the task won’t be any easier. Like every other athlete in the region, Helmick is preparing for Cassidy Lance, Emily Bridgers, Caroline Dardini, Anna Tunnicliffe, and Christy Adkins vying for those top five spots heading to the Games. With husband and coach Gary heading to Regionals to compete alongside her, Helmick knows what she is up against.

Last week, we reviewed the men's dark horses—check them out!

Reporting contributed by Karen Feiner