Day 4 WYC : Lead Semi-finals and Finals

                                 Rita Marsanova. Kayla Lieuw, John Brosler & Kyra Condie

The last day of this year's World Youth Championship was nothing short of a thrill ride. The day started early with 23 of the team's lead climbers checking into isolation at 8:00 a.m. Climbing started at 9:30 with some seriously challenging and difficult routes in each category. Kai Lightner (one of two climbers to flash their route in semi-finals), Margo Hayes, Claire Buhrfeind, Sean Bailey and Delaney Miller all earned the golden ticket to compete in finals later in the day.

Following the completion of semi-finals there was a 3 hour break so the the wall could be re-set for finals. The crowd was by far the biggest thus far at the competition. The routes were once again very intense and challenging. All five of our athletes climbed their best on a big stage with an even bigger audience. To make finals at this level of competition is such a huge accomplishment in itself. Congratulations to each of you. Kai took 4th place, Margo took 7th place, Claire took 5th place, Sean Bailey took 6th and Delaney took 5th.

Final rankings for the team's athletes are as follows:

       FYB                                                               MYB
       Claire Buhrfeind (5)                                       Kai Lightner (4)
       Margo Hayes (7)                                            Drew Ruana (10)  
       Melina Costanza (12)                                     Ben Hanna (18)
       Rita Marsanova (14)                                       Sam Enright (22)
       Grace McKeehan (22)
                               

       FYA                                                             MYA
       Kyra Condie (15)                                         Sean Bailey (6)
       Zoe Steinberg (24)                                       Brendan Mitchell (14)
       Chloe LeBerge (25)                                     Nicholas Bradley (16)
       Samantha Scharenberg (29)                         Connor Everton (29)
                                                                            Brian Huang (44)

      FJR                                                              MJR
      Delany Miller (5)                                          Dylan Barks (10)                                
      Michaela Kiersch (12)                                  Noah Ridge (11)
      Shannon Russell (19)                                   Josh Levin (13)
      Nicole Hansen (21)                                      Joe Gifford (28)
      Alexa Nazarian (26)                                     Dominic LaBarge (34)


Award ceremonies followed soon after climbing ended. As a team it was great to cheer for our four speed climbers who made podium. Congratulations once again to Rita, Kayla, Jon and Kyra!
After the awards ceremony The Boulders Gym hosted a party for the athletes and coaches at the venue. One of the highlights to every WYC is the athletes trading jerseys and jackets so be on the look out for foreign apparel showing up in your local gym some time soon.

This year's training camp was a first. Overall, it appears to have been a big success. Thanks to all our coaches and staff who gave so much of their time, efforts and energy. Also thanks to all the parents for your support. The athletes definitely benefited from the camp as evidenced by the team's success and most individuals setting personal records. I believe this is definitely just the beginning of Team USA becoming a much stronger team for others to compete against in the future.

Schedule for final day of World Youth Championship

Here is a quick run down on the final day's schedule.

8:00 Isolation opens for all lead climbers competing in semi-finals
9:00 Isolation closes
9:00 Venue opens for spectators
9:30 Semi-finals for lead climbing begins

1:00 p.m. Venue closes for route changeover for Finals
3:00 p.m. Isolation for top 8 finalists in each category opens
4:00 p.m. Isolation closes
4:00 p.m. Venue opens for spectators
4:15 p.m. Presentation of finalists
4:30 p.m. Observation for finalists
4:45 p.m. Finals for MYB, FYB and FYA
6:00 p.m. Finals for MYA, MJR and FJR
7:30 p.m. Awards ceremony

Immediately following awards ceremony there will be an after party at the venue for all athletes and coaches.

Starting order for semi-finalists as listed (reverse order of ranking after qualifiers) as of 11:00 p.m. is as follows:

FYB                                                            MYB
Melina Costanza (9)                                    Sam Enright (1)
Rita Marsanova (13)                                     Ben Hanna (10)
Grace McKeehan (15)                                 Drew Ruana (17)
Margo Hayes (24)                                        Kai Lightner (2)

FYA                                                           MYA
Chloe LaBerge (1)                                      Nick Bradley (1)
Zoe Steinberg (3)                                        Brendan Mitchell (8)
Sean Bailey (10)                                         Kyra Condie (12)

FJR                                                           MJR
Nicole Hansen (1)                                     Josh Levin (15)
Alexa Nazarian (2)                                    Dylan Barks (16)
Shannon Russell (5)                                  Noah Ridge (17)
Michaela Kiersch (11)                            
Delaney Miller (23)

Good Luck to all our sport competitors tomorrow!

Parents, if your athlete is leaving with you from the venue tomorrow please remember to get your athlete's luggage and other belongings from them before the closing ceremonies as some of the coaches will be leaving with all the vans as soon as the competition ends in order to catch the last ferry to Vancouver.

USA Speed Team Crushes at World Youth Speed Championship

John Brosler celebrating 3rd Place podium finish.

The long awaited day finally arrived for the USA Speed Team. Let me start by saying that all their hard work and dedication during training camp was very evident today. Twenty two of our speed climbers advanced out of the qualifier round with 4 climbers winning podium spots! Rita Marsanova took 2nd place, Kayla Lieuw took 2nd place, Kyra Condie took 3rd place and John Brosler  took 3rd place. Special recognition goes out to Brandon Lieuw and Grace McKeenan who each finished in 4th place. The others teams competing definitely took notice of this year's USA Team and knew that they are serious competiton for all.  Following is a summary of the USA Speed Team's Results:

FYB                                               MYB
Rita (2)                                           Brandon Lieuw (4)
Grace McKeenan (4)                      Michael Retoff (6)
Sidney Trinidad (5)                        Nicholas Becker (11)
Claire Buhrfeind (6)                       Peter Steffey (16)

FYA                                              MYA
Kayla Lieuw (2)                            John Brosler (2)
Kyra Condie (3)                            Brendan Mitchell (9)
Megan Carr (8)                              Dillon Moody (11)
Danielle Rogan (9)                        Jake Criss (12)
Jacquelyn Wu (11)                        Collier Skinn (14)
Hannah Tolson (14)

FJR                                               MJR
Shannon Russell (10)                   Josh Levin (9)
Delaney Miller (12)                      Thomas Pitzel (10)
Amelia Metcalf (13)                     Ryan Strickland (15)
Alexa Nazarian(14)                      Trevor DiTrani (18)
                                                     Dominic LaBarge (19)

Once again, CONGRATULATIONS to the USA SPEED TEAM. Way to represent!

CORRECTION!

Athletes leaving with their family on Monday after the competition will check out of the dorm Monday morning and bring all their belongings with them to the venue. Those planning on staying at the dorm on Monday night will check out Tuesday morning.

WYC DAY 2, Q2 LEAD QUALIFIERS

What an exciting day! 23 of the USA team climbers advanced to semi-finals.  Not official but I believe this is most likely a new team record. Claire Buhrfeind, Margo Hayes, Kai Lightner and Drew Ruana all topped their routes today. A special thanks to all the speed team members who were at the competition today supporting their teammates.  Once again we had many USA family and friends supporting our team. I would guess that there were as many Americans as local Canadians in the audience today. Also a BIG thank you to all the coaches who came to support their climbers; Kyle Clinkscales, Stan Borodyansky, Tyson Schoene, Ellis Whitson and Emily Taylor.

ALERT: CHANGE IN SPEED SCHEDULE!

12:00 Youth B speed qualifiers
1:30 Youth A speed qualifiers
3:00 Junior speed qualifiers

Speed Finals 4:30-8:30

Just a reminder to parents. All climbers will check out of the dorm on Monday morning, Aug. 19, and arrive at the competition venue with their luggage and belongings that morning. All climbers are strongly encouraged to stay for closing ceremonies and for the athlete after party immediately following closing ceremonies.

Looking forward to cheering on the USA Speed Team tomorrow. Good luck!

DAY 1 WORLD YOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP 2013

                                                   USA, MYA Members previewing Q1

It is finally here, the first day of competition at Worlds. On today's schedule was Qualifier Route 1 for the lead climbers. Climbing started just a few minutes after 9:30 a.m. The USA Team had a great showing for the first day with 3 TOPS by Delaney Miller, Claire Buhrfeind and Margo Hayes. The rest of the team climbed hard and strong with several finishing in the top quarter of their categories. Overall the team Coach Claudiu said the team had a good first day. We had many parents, friends and family members present to cheer our climbers on. Additionally several coaches from the our climbers home teams made the trip up to Victoria to support their athletes and the rest of the USA team. The competition ran smoothly and efficiently with all climbers finishing shortly after 3:00 p.m. Hats off to The Boulders Climbing Gym and the IFSC for running such an impressive day 1.

Today's Q1 complete results and tomorrow's running orders can be found at

http://www.ifsc-climbing.org/index.php/world-competition/calendar

Qualifier Route 2 will begin tomorrow at 9:30 a.m. Following is a run down on the USA climbers running orders:

FYB                                                             MYB
Margo Hayes (1)                                          Kai Lightner (4)
Melina Constanza (14)                                 Ben Hanna (28)
Rita Marsanova (18)                                    Sam Enright (31)
Grace McKeehan (19)                                 Drew Ruana (39)

FYA                                                            MYA
Zoe Steinberg (1)                                        Brian Huang (7)
Kyra Condie (3)                                          Sean Bailey (17)
Samantha Scharenberg (31)                        Connor Everton (40)
Chloe LeBerge (34)                                    Brendan Mitchell (44)
                                                                    Nicholas Bradley (51)

FJR                                                             MJR 
Delaney Miller (1)                                      Dylan Barks (4)                                  
Nicole Hansen (9)                                      Noah Ridge (7)
Michaela Kiersch (12)                               Josh Levin (25)
Alexa Nazarian (13)                                  Joe Giffors (40)Shannon Russell (29)
                     
















  

                           

T-1 World Youth Championship

                           
                                 2013 USA YOUTH CLIMBING TEAM, VICTORIA, B.C.

It is almost here, tomorrow morning the World Youth Championship Competition starts with qualifier route 1 for lead climbers. The team's day began with a light workout at The University of Victoria's recreation center followed by lunch at the dinning hall. Zoe Steinberg arrived today, WELCOME Zoe, we are so glad you are here! A formal team picture was taken by Bruce Mitchell later in the afternoon during a break in the rain showers. Coach Megan and team girls once again decorated the van with USA pride only to have it washed off by the rain again. But rest assured, a little rain did not stop them. On their way to opening ceremonies they stopped to buy more window crayons and once again decorated the vans! Way to go Meghan and team.

The opening ceremonies were held at The Boulders Climbing Gym. The rain stopped and the weather was perfect for the evening event. All the teams from around the world were present along with parents, family and friends.  Strong USA pride and representation by both our team and spectators was present. Athletes got to meet other climbers from around the world, many reuniting with friends from past competitions.  There were several local dignitaries and IFSC officials who formally welcomed the competitors. Josh Levin represented the USA Team during the introductions of all teams participating, way to go Josh you made us all proud! Representatives from a local native American tribe performed a song with drums while their youth performed a traditional tribal dance. A unique performance of rope dancing was performed on the wall. Overall a big thumbs up to Kimanda and staff for putting together such  great opening ceremonies.

Climbing starts at 9:30 a.m. Pacific time. Running orders can be found at                           http://www.ifsc-climbing.org/index.php/world-competition

Following is a quick summary of the running orders for Team USA climbers;

FYB                                                                      MYB
Claire Buhrfeind (8)                                              Ben Hanna (7)
Margo Hayes (21)                                                 Sam Enright (10)
Melina Costanza (35)                                            Drew Ruana (18)
Rita Marsanova (39)                                             Kai Lightner (25)

FYA                                                                     MYA
Connor Everton (13)                                            Samantha Scharenberg (9)
Brendan Mitchell (17)                                          Chloe LaBerge (12)
Nicholas Bradley (24)                                          Zoe Steinberg (22)
Brian Huang (34)                                                 Kyra Condie (24)
Sean Bailey (44)

FJR                                                                      MJR
Shannon Russell (13)                                          Dominic LaBarge (2)
Delaney Miller (16)                                             Josh Levin (4)
Nicole Hansen (24)                                             Joe Gifford (20)
Michaela Kiersch (27)                                         Dylan Barks (25)
Alexa Nazarian (28)                                            Noah Ridge (28)

Good Luck to all USA Team Members tomorrow!