Duncan Backus and the rest of the dynastic Lyon Stahl Investment Real Estate beach volleyball team have aced the latest test and now are in the market for a "four-peat."
The squad from the El Segundo, California-based multifamily brokerage won the Charlie Saikley 6-Man Beach Volleyball Tournament this month for the third year in a row. The last major U.S. professional sports team to accomplish a "three-peat" was the 2000-2002 Los Angeles Lakers, though those Kobe and Shaq teams didn't have to contend with saltwater and sand.
Lyon Stahl won 10 matches over two days to earn the championship, defeating the 12th Street team in the finals. The Lyon Stahl squad consisted of players who work for the brokerage, other commercial real estate firms and friends of Lyon Stahl.
Besides Backus, the roster included: captain Parker Boehle (Newmark), Brenden Sander, Casey McGarry, Casey White, Davis Boehle, Devon Burki, Gage Worsley, Hayden Boehle, Henri Cherry, Joe Worsley, Jonah Seif, Karl Acres, Luke Lamont, Matt Silver, Mike Fisher (CBRE), Mitch Stahl, Oli Martin, Price Jarman, Rowdy Lennon, Roy McFarland, Shane Hauschild and Taylor Sander.
The 2024 tournament, held Aug. 2 to 3 next to the Manhattan Beach Pier, is named for Charlie Saikley, who promoted the sport for decades and regularly organized the Manhattan Beach Open tournament. Known as the godfather of beach volleyball, Saikley died at the age of 69 in 2005.
There were 40 teams in the men's division this year, according to Backus. While winning is great, he said in an email to CoStar News, "It's all about the camaraderie/team chemistry and good vibes that make it a special weekend. The target on the team's back is getting bigger for sure, though."