Worlds

Several weeks ago, I boarded a plane headed for Canada, where I attended the 2013 World Championship. This experience was completely unforgettable and one that I will cherish for the rest of my life. Upon arriving at camp, I was reunited with some old friends, as well as introduced to some new teammates, all of who made this experience so memorable. It was surreal for me to be surrounded by the best youth climbers that the USA has to offer, and it was an honor to be among them representing our country at the highest level.

Photo Credits: Lori Buhrfeind

For the first 9 days, we trained at The Boulders Climbing Gym (where the competition would be held). It was so beneficial to get a feel for the walls, as well as fine tune speed beta in preparation for the event. 

After training, we had a lot of spare time to hangout, watch movies (generally scary), play pranks, and just talk. It was in this spare time that the team became united, and by the end of training camp, we were ready to compete not only for ourselves, but also for our teammates and our country. 

We had several rest days from climbing. These days consisted of going to the beach and exploring the beautiful city of Victoria! At international competitions, it is so easy to get caught up in the event, and the days off really allowed me to take a step back, and appreciate the fact that I was in CANADA. 

Photo Credits: Lori Buhrfeind

The first 2 days of the competition I, along with the rest of the speed team, was spectating. It was bitter sweet to watch sport climbing, knowing how close I was to making US team, but I was super proud of my teammates and even more determined to make team for sport next year.  

Photo Credits: Lori Buhrfeind

On the third day of the competition, I finally had a chance to compete! Qualifiers ran relatively smooth, and I went into semifinals in 16th place. Unfortunately, this meant I had to race the first seated girl in order to qualify for finals. Although I ran a smooth run (a time of 11.6), I was unable to advance to the top 8. In the end I placed 14th, and reflecting on the competition, I am happy with my placement and optimistic for what future competitions hold! In the end, the USA walked away with 4 medals for speed (including a silver medal for one of my best friends/roommate Rita Marsanova).

This experience was so pivotal as far as the way I look at climbing and competition. Up until this point, I have always viewed climbing as an individual sport. However after camp and worlds, I discovered that  encouraging friends and a strong team foundation can push athletes more than they can ever push themselves. Its crazy to imagine that we started off as a bunch of individuals and after 2 weeks of training, laughing, watching scary movies, and stealing John Brosler's fruit cups every night, we became a family.

Photo Credits: Bruce Mitchell

Thank you to all my teammates who made this experience so memorable and I can't wait to see everyone again at bouldering nationals! 

Divisionals, Nationals Training Camp, and Nationals.

The past month has been one of the most climbing-packed since my introduction to the sport! This climbing saga kick started with SCS Divisionals 2013. The competition was held at Momentum Climbing and Fitness in Sandy, Utah. My team and I arrived on the Thursday and met up with some of our long-distance friends (Ben Hanna in particular) to get psyched for the comp the following day.

Previewing the route in Qualifiers,  Photo Credits: Danielle Tolson

Qualifiers ran relatively smoothly, and I finished the day in 2nd place. Although I was slightly disappointed with my performance, I was psyched to see what the route setters had planned for finals!

Finals route! Photo Credits: Just Fab Photography

The finals route was mostly vertical with thinner holds. This route catered to my style of climbing and I ended up sending it, earning me a gold medal! Following sport finals was speed finals which I also won, allowing for my first double-win at a divisional event. I was very happy with my performance, however my excitement was short-lived as we boarded a plane leaving for Atlanta the following day.

Awards! Photo Credits: Just Fab Photography 

Throughout the next 2 weeks I attended the 2013 Nationals Training Camp with my fellow teammates Allison Henderson and Nic Culley. This experience was amazing to say the least! We climbed 36 hours a week at one of the coolest gyms in the country, and were coached by some of the most respected coaches the USA has to offer. I met so many cool people at camp, all who share my passion and affinity for climbing. One girl in particular, Danielle Rogan, became one of my best friends within the short period of 2 weeks. Many of the people I met at camp positively effected my performance at nationals, either with pep-talks (Thank you to my speed-coach/pep-talker Thomas Pitzel), or just general support. This experience was both humbling and inspiring, and I cannot wait to return next year!

Post-Training ERS

Speed wounds with Grace Mckeehan

Kayla Lieuw, Danielle Rogan, Myself, and Claire Bresnan

Once Nationals Training Camp ended, We had a couple days to hang out and get amped for Nationals. These days mostly consisted of sitting around and preparing mentally for the fast-approaching competition.

Qualifier 1, Photo Credits: Just Fab Photography

Qualifiers went well and I went into Semi's tied for 4th. In Semi-Finals, I found a super sick stem onto a volume which actually caused for laughter from both the crowd and myself. I finished Semi's in 3rd place! Also props to another female-A/ Arizona girl, Mary Fox for making finals. Its super sick that our state can represent at such a high level!

Such a cool rest! Semifinals, Photo Credits: Just Fab Photography

Later that night was speed finals, where I raced Danielle Rogan for a spot on the US team. Going into our race, we knew that if we got below 7 seconds, we would both qualify for Worlds in Canada! When our times showed, I had a 6.98, and she had a 6.97. When we came down we hugged which triggered a simultaneous  "aww" from the crowd. My performance in finals earned me 5th place and an invitation to Worlds in August! I was extremely psyched with my placement, and equally psyched for sport finals the next day.

Danielle Rogan and I after speed finals.

Sport finals unfortunately did not go my way. I placed 6th in finals, missing US team by 2 spots. Although I am disappointed with my placement, I am still psyched to compete at Worlds for speed! Now that I am back in Arizona, I cannot wait to continue training speed and start training bouldering. My motivation is high and I know that with hard work and a strong work ethic, there is nowhere to go but up (figuratively and literally). 

-Hannah Tolson