Climbing to the top

The newly established rock climbing team from East started their season off with success by winning their first competition of the year. Last year, members could only compete individually, but this year, since the membership has flourished in size, the group can compete as a team. It looks like there is a lot of success in the group’s future due to their dedication and great chemistry.

There were about 19 teams at their first competition on Friday, November 10th. Captain senior Sofia Maglio reports that it “was based on endurance,” as climbers are given two hours to climb as many routes as they can. Point totals are calculated by adding up each team member’s points that they received for each completed route. There are three different categories that climbers can partake in: bouldering, league climbing and top rope. Climbers typically begin with league climbing or top rope and then progress to bouldering, as bouldering requires the climber to caravane themselves. Captain senior Dom Evans says that just like any other sport, “you can do really well in one area for awhile and then you’re gonna hit a wall… but you can always then work on a different technique or a different thing… it depends if you want to be a dynamic climber or more… static.” This first win was a tribute to all the hard work that members have put in outside of scheduled practices in order to become dynamic climbers.

The team practices once a week on Tuesdays, however there are many members who go to Adventure Rock more often to try and improve their skills. Evans says that, “it’s really up to [members] and how seriously [they] want to take [the sport],” but that, “if [members] want to excel quickly [they] can take that into [their] own hands.” Team members prepare for competitions every month at either the Adventure Rock downtown or in Brookfield.

At practices, team members are extremely supportive of one another. Maglio said that her favorite part of the sport is probably the atmosphere as “it’s not as competitive as some other sports.” Evans described the environment as “inviting,” especially in the climbing gym. She says “if [someone doesn’t] know what to do for [a] route… [they] can always approach anyone in the gym and they’re going to help… out.” Maglio agreed in saying “there's always people on the team ready to encourage and help their other teammates.” This support certainly contributed to the win, as did the team bonding that the group has been doing outside of the gym.

Evans reports that in addition to typical team dinners, the team has had a karaoke night and is planning a bowling trip. She is hopeful that the team may even get to climb some real rock this spring or summer as they did last season. Last year there were only five members on the team, and this year it has grown to 20, so Evans reports that “everyone’s just getting to know each other.” Maglio feels as though “this year we have a great group of kids on the team.” Evans concurs in saying: “It’s just a great energy because there’s some climbers who are like really passionate about doing well, so they’re gonna push for that next competition and… [encourage] timid climbers.”

This positive atmosphere leaves captains Evans and Maglio optimistic regarding the season to come. “I feel very confident in my team’s ability's and I think that the rest of the season is going to be great. I'm very proud of what our team has accomplished already, and I can't wait for the rest of the season,” says Maglio.