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).
