Nationals Wrap-Up

Youth Boulder Nationals

Ontario's most skilled climbers concluded the bouldering season with an exhilarating finale, making their mark in Alberta and returning home with an impressive collection of six medals.

In the Junior Male category, Matthew Rodriguez tied with Tj Foley from Alberta in the final round but due to Matthew’s exceptional performance during semi’s his attempts-to-top were just low enough to earn him the silver medal.

The Youth A Female category was almost completely dominated by Ontario with Jacqueline Ho claiming first place by flashing three of the four problems in the final round. Molly Dreher was hot on Jacqueline’s heels in second place with only one less attempt while Evangelina Briggs almost secured a close third, missing out on topping the immensely challenging second problem. These climbers truly highlight the exceptional level of talent within the Ontario community.

Christian Chan clutched the silver medal in the Youth B Male category by topping the final problem after a grueling eight attempts. Despite facing a very difficult semi-final, Christian exhibited unwavering determination and undoubtedly earned his well-deserved place on the second spot of the podium.

Ella Vohle narrowly missed securing third place by a single zone in the Youth B Female category as both the semi-final and final rounds presented an immense challenge, with no climber successfully topping all of the problems in either round. In spite of the difficulty, Ontario earned two spots on the podium with Graciela Briggs and Sadie Schmidt-Stutzman’s incredible performance that earned them a silver and bronze medal, respectively.

For full Youth Boulder National results, please click here.

Youth Lead Nationals

Just two days after the conclusion of Youth Boulder Nationals our climbers clipped onto the big wall for Youth Lead Nationals and put their skills to the test in a completely different discipline.

Matthew Rodriguez yet again earned a spot on the podium for the Junior Male category but instead of receiving another bronze he was able to beat Benjamin Tonnos from Alberta by a single hold to claim the gold medal. In a nail-biting finish, Matthew was one move away from being the only climber to top the problem but the difficult dyno proved to be too elusive after an incredibly tough route.

Ontario continued its dominant presence in the Youth A category with Evangelina Briggs taking first place with 26+ holds while Molly Dreher was closely behind her in second with 26. Jacqueline Ho once again showcased her talent with a close fourth place finish, just two holds shy of the bronze medal.

In a moment that had everyone on the edge of their seats, Christian Chan had his third place podium spot in the Youth B Male category snatched away in the final seconds of the competition as Félix-Antoine Provost from Quebec showcased incredible strength and was able to grab the crimp that followed the double pinches on the under hang which secured him with the 37+ holds needed to surpass Christian and secure the bronze medal.

For full Youth Lead National results, please click here.

In summary, both Youth Nationals events proved to be a resounding success, leaving Ontario with a great sense of pride. The level of competition in this sport continues to improve and intensify, and Ontario athletes are demonstrating our ability to maintain our position as a leading competitor in the country. By fostering the development of the sport at the provincial level, we are confident we will witness continued success in the future, and we look forward to seeing Ontario’s athletes climbing on the international stage.

Thank you to Climbing Escalade Canada for putting the events together and to the Calgary Climbing Centre for hosting such fantastic competitions. A huge thank you to all of the volunteers who helped make the competitions possible. These events are only able to run thanks to those who generously donate their time and invaluable support, it cannot be stated enough how important your contributions are to this sport. Additionally, we would like to acknowledge the hardworking staff and route setters who tackle the challenging and often underappreciated task of balancing skills, risk, safety, and excitement. Your efforts are greatly appreciated.

We also want to thank and acknowledge the contributions of our coaches and the parents of our athletes, all of whom sacrifice so much for the athletes to experience the thrill of competing at Youth Nationals. Lastly, thank you and congratulations to every athlete who competed this year regardless of whether you participated in Nationals, made it onto a podium during the season, or participated in your first competitive event. Your dedication, passion, and commitment to the sport are truly admirable. While it is important to recognize success, it is also vital to remember it is not just about the results. It is about the journey, the personal growth, and the joy of pushing your own limits beyond what you thought you were capable of.

As the OCF prepares for the 2023-24 season and beyond, stay tuned for communications regarding upcoming stakeholder engagement beyond the competition survey that has been previously released. We have several upcoming opportunities for growth, and we look forward to your contributions as we continue to move the sport forward.