We’re hosting USA Climbing Youth National Championships at First Ascent Arlington Heights from July 25-31, and 21 of our very own FA Climbing Team kids will be competing at this nation-wide event. But who are they, what motivates them, what are their goals, and who are their favorite super heroes? Read on to learn more about the kids competing, then join us to cheer them on this week as they compete for a spot on Team USA!
Sarah Kramer
Age: 15
Category and Event: Youth A: Rope
Other hobbies/Fun Fact: Biking, 4’10”
What’s your favorite thing about competitive climbing?
The community around it is always so supportive and inviting and it’s just a great place to be.
How does climbing empower you?
It’s being able to accomplish something– like even though it is very physical, there’s a huge mental aspect to climbing. Being able to achieve goals physically and mentally at the same time is a unique experience that you get through climbing.
Mason Dziekanowski
Age: 13
Category/Events: Youth B: Rope, Speed
Fun Fact: Loves taking massive lead falls
What’s your favorite thing about competitive climbing?
Just being able to problem solve and work with the clock. The crowds are fun, too.
How does climbing empower you?
I’ve been doing this since I was six years old, so it’s a big part of me. And it’s something that has really helped me whenever I’m stressed about school. I just go to the gym and climb and it’s something that I practically do every day. The gym was kind of like a second home for me.
Alison George
Age: 16
Category/Events: Youth A: Rope, Speed
Other Hobbies: Solving Rubik’s cubes, biking, running and throwing for track and field
What’s your favorite thing about competitive climbing?
I think the community, because I know it’s getting bigger right now, but it has been kind of a smaller sport, so we’re all a lot closer to each other. I feel like that’s really nice for just growing up and having kind of a group you can stay with.
How does climbing empower you?
I feel like it’s such a different sport than any other sport. One of my favorite things is probably having bigger muscles for a female because it’s all shoulders and stuff. It kind of just stands out because you don’t really use your forearms directly in any other sport other than working out with weights.
Austin Bock
Age: 12
Category/Events: Youth C: Rope, Boulder, Speed
Fun Fact: Has a Gecko
What’s your favorite thing about competitive climbing?
I love getting to meet new people all across the country and just climbing.
How does climbing empower you?
I love different positions of the body and also using many parts of my body, like my hands and my feet, in different ways.
Sydney Bock
Age: 14
Category/Events: Youth B: Rope, Speed
What’s your favorite thing about competitive climbing?
I think the atmosphere and meeting a bunch of new people and just going out there and performing.
How does climbing empower you?
Climbing makes me feel strong. It’s fun and makes me feel way more positive than I would normally be.
Sonia Gutierrez
Age: 16
Category/Events: Youth A: Rope, Boulder, Speed
Fun Fact: Coaches two climbing teams
What’s your favorite thing about competitive climbing?
I love everything about it, like getting to try new and really cool routes. I like the atmosphere and it’s all really fun.
How does climbing empower you?
I’ve been doing sports for most of my life, but this is the first sport that I know I love. I’ve been practicing and I want to get better, so just seeing how much better I’ve gotten and seeing myself grow.
Luke Hower
Age: 16
Category/Events: Youth A: Rope, Boulder, Speed
Other Hobbies: biking, running in track
What’s your favorite thing about competitive climbing?
I think it’s the community, because I find a lot of other sports are [about] competing against each other. I feel like climbing is a lot more of you’re just competing with yourself and you want everyone to succeed.
How does climbing empower you?
I think climbing has definitely allowed me to be a lot more confident in my body and with everything I do. It showed me what my body is capable of.
Renata González-Diab
Age: 14
Category/Event: Youth B: Boulder
Other Hobbies: running and reading
What’s your favorite thing about competitive climbing?
Competitive rock climbing makes me feel like I’m in control of something. It’s kind of like, I know how to do it, and I’m good at it. It makes me feel like I have something that I’m really good at.
How does climbing empower you?
It’s not really climbing that inspires me but the people. My coaches have really helped me grow into the sport and make me better.
Sophie Volchenboum
Age: 18
Category/Events: Junior: Rope, Boulder
Other Hobbies: art and hanging with friends
What’s your favorite thing about competitive climbing?
The people it brings together from all over the nation.
How does climbing empower you?
I think it’s one of the few sports where there’s a lot of independence as well as being part of a team. But when it comes down to it, it’s really only about you. It’s also not just about your strength. It’s about not only mental, but being smart on the wall [and] being smart off the wall. So even if you can’t rep out 10 pull-ups, it doesn’t mean you’re a bad climber.
Jocelyn Venit
Age: 14
Category/Event: Youth B: Rope
Other Hobby: Musical theater
What’s your favorite thing about competitive climbing?
I like going to different places. I like having friends from other states. And then competing can be fun sometimes because you get to try different routes.
How does climbing empower you?
I like it because [since] my school is super small, no one does it. So it can be empowering because you’re doing something that no one else does.
Mary Brunson
Age: 13
Category/Event: Youth B: Boulder
Other Hobbies: Cross country and soccer
What’s your favorite thing about competitive climbing?
I like the atmosphere. I like the people and just cheering on your competitors and your teammates, and them cheering you on.
How does climbing empower you?
It literally makes me stronger, and it just makes you feel stronger.
Owen Pham
Category/Event: Youth C: Rope, Boulder, Speed
Years Climbing: 5
Favorite Superhero: Spiderman
Best part of the FA team: Community
What do you hope to achieve at this year’s National Championships?
Improve on last year’s results. No regrets.
What are your long term climbing goals? (be it 5, 10, 15 years!)
To consistently climb V8.
Hart Tarleton
Category/Event: Youth C: Speed
Years Climbing: 2
Favorite Superhero: Dr. Strange
Best part of the FA team: It keeps me disciplined and challenges me.
What do you hope to achieve at this year’s National Championships?
I hope to get better.
What are your long term climbing goals? (be it 5, 10, 15 years!)
I want to be the best that I can be.
Aili Estela
Category/Event: Youth B: Speed
Years Climbing: 5-6
Favorite Superhero: Rocket the raccoon
Best part of the FA team: The community/people and the ability to climb with people your age
What do you hope to achieve at this year’s National Championships?
Qualify for Semi-Finals
What are your long term climbing goals? (be it 5, 10, 15 years!)
Become more thoughtful about my climbing, climb more outdoors, and overall get better.
Jordyn Rabinowitz
Category/Event: Junior: Boulder
Years Climbing: 7
Favorite Superhero: Wonder Woman
Best part of the FA team: The coaches
What do you hope to achieve at this year’s National Championships?
To maintain a positive attitude
What are your long term climbing goals? (be it 5, 10, 15 years!)
Joining the collegiate CU boulder team.
Joe Flynn
Category/Event: Youth A: Rope, Boulder
Years Climbing: 10-11
Favorite Superhero: Captain America
Best part of the FA team: The community
What do you hope to achieve at this year’s National Championships?
To make the US team
What are your long term climbing goals? (be it 5, 10, 15 years!)
I would like to be the best climber I can be
Micah Liss
Category/Event: Junior: Speed
Years Climbing: 6
Favorite Superhero: Batman
Best part of the FA team: The speed pod!
What do you hope to achieve at this year’s National Championships?
Win speed for MJR’s (male junior) and break the youth national record!
What are your long term climbing goals? (be it 5, 10, 15 years!)
Qualify for the 2028 Olympics
Not listed, but still awesome: Elias Grigalunas, Madison Ruth, Elle Beehler, Micah Feller
We’re so proud of all of your hard work, Team, and we’re cheering for you as you rep FA on the national stage. Go crush it out there!