When and where was the first international climbing competition held in the USA? Who won the men's division and who won the women's division?

Team Mo Rocks Momentum!

The Momentum youth climbing teams flexed their muscles and delivered some rockin' results Saturday, April 25, as Momentum hosted its local SCS Youth Competition.

The first surprise of the day was that Momentum's Base Camp team turned out en force. Nobody (except themselves and their parents I imagine) knew they were coming to compete but compete they did. 8 year old power house, Maisy Hayes, stormed in and snatched 3rd place in the Female Youth D division scoring not far below Ellise Shuman who tied for 1st place with the ever present Amber Coleman of Boise. First time competitors Aislin Meegan, Katie Tenney, and Katelyn Loveridge displayed some amazing tenacity throughout the comp as they clung, seemingly tirelessly, to the wall trying to overcome their lack of height. It paid off as Aislin walked away with 5th place, Katelyn with 6th, and Katie right behind them with a competitor's ribbon.

In the Male Youth D division, brothers Kaden and Kyler Hunter, sons of Mike and Jaci Hunter, showed us what they're made of (or who they're made by) as they finished 3rd and 5th respectively. Despite his 6th place finish last week in Bozeman and a lot of fight yesterday, Caleb Bloodworth scored just below Weston Bradburn and took home a competitor ribbon while Weston finished 6th. In his first climbing competition ever, Jeremy Starwalt also brought home a competitor ribbon.

The Female Youth C and Male Youth C divisions were dominated by Team Momentum. Sarah Legg, who has been a major contender all season, showed up with a secret weapon. She was sporting a new "Jaci Hunter" hairstyle and it apparently did the trick because Sarah walked away with the blue ribbon yesterday leaving Bozeman's strong girl, Bridget Creel, with the red one. Right on Bridget's heels and, as pleased with herself as we were of her, was Rachel Wedge, taking 3rd place. Coming off of a two week vacation, Katie Shuman delivered a respectable 4th place performance while an enthusiastic Autumn Cushing happily received her 6th place ribbon. Despite their determination, Taryn Rodman and Amanda Starwalt finished just outside of 6th place.

On the boys' side in Youth C, Nathaniel Coleman showed us that he is back and he's recovered from his broken hand because he snatched the 1st place ribbon from teammate Ben Tresco, who has taken 1st in the last two comps. Ben was strong the entire competition but on his last climb, Nathaniel managed to score just enough points to bump Ben into 2nd place. Cole Bradburn brought his new little sister Lola, along with mom and dad, to watch him bring home the 3rd place ribbon. Charles Zimmerman edged past Hayden Hernandez for 4th place leaving Hayden with the 5th place ribbon. Alex Tresco and newcomer, Jared Phillips accepted competitor ribbons. Hang in there Alex, next year Ben will be torturing your brother, Sam.

There was some tough competition in the Female Youth B division yesterday as well. Kat Holbrook and Aspen Sanderson took on Inge Perkins and Andie Creel from Team Bozeman and the Crotteau sisters of Boise Peak Fitness. Kat clawed her way to an amazing 3rd place finish and Aspen held on to take 6th.

A mere 55 points separated the top three finishers in the Male Youth B division. The eldest Tresco brother, Sam, took 2nd place in Pocatello, 3rd in Bozeman and bumped himself back up to 2nd yesterday. Palmer Larsen finished right behind him in 3rd. Teammates Josh Kilmer and Connor Gajdos took the competitor ribbons. Watch out for all four of these boys next year. They are going to be tough to beat!

While all this excitement was taking place on the vertical surfaces of Momentum, the tireless, enthusiastic Annette Hernandez wasn't taking no for an answer as she, and several other Team Momentum parents, sold a myriad of baked goods and drinks to keep the sugar highs of the competitors and their families going strong! They raised just over $230 for Team Mo yesterday. Thanks to everyone who pitched in to make this fundraiser happen and a huge thanks to Aaron Hjelt, regional coordinator for the Big Sky Region, as well as the hardworking employees, headed up yesterday by Tyler Cline, of Momentum. You guys are the best and none of this would be possible without the efforts of all of you! Thank you as well to our amazing coaches Jeff Pedersen, Ty Hansen, Swan and Ian. Without you guys, well, what would we have to look forward to?

As a side note, while the rest of Team Momentum was climbing the walls, honorary team member Missy Legg, was dancing her heart out in her own competition. Her dance company won a 2nd place trophy that they will proudly display in their studio. Someday we hope to see her put those mad dance skills to work on the vertical. I know she'd be great at it! :)

On Saturday, April 25th, 2009 Momentum will be hosting the next USAC Youth Sport Climbing Competition. Here is the information:

• In person registration: 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
• Competition begins: 9:30 a.m. - 12:30ish.
• Cost - $25.00 for USAC Members, $30.00 for non USAC Members.
• Volunteers meeting at 9:00 a.m.
• Preregistration over the phone @ 801.990.6890 or at Momentum anytime before the competition.
• Competitors must have the registration form with them and filled out when they arrive Saturday morning. To download registration form, go to: www.usaclimbing.net., click on the heading called Regional, click on Big Sky on the map, and click on registration under Momentum on April 25.
  
• Bake Sale Fundraiser for Momentum's Youth Climbing Team will be held throughout the competition.

Don't forget!

Friday night, April 24th, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. Momentum will host it's first annual Masters of Top Rope Competition! Every level of climber from beginner to advanced is welcome to compete in this "just for fun" competition. Free to Momentum members and climbing team parents. The $15 comp fee for all other participants will be donated to Momentum's Youth Climbing Team.

Moms and dads of climbing team members, Friday night, April 24, from 7:00-10:00 pm, Momentum will be hosting it's first annual "Masters of Toprope" competition. This event is free to compete in if you are a parent of a climbing team member. This competition will also be the playing field where the moms compete against the dads because the dads issued a challenge a few months ago. The only prerequisite is that you have to have a child on the climbing team.

Also, we will be holding another bake sale on Saturday morning, April 25, during the SCS youth competition. This will be a fundraiser for the climbing team so if you can bring something to donate to the sale or you can help work the table, please let Annette Hernandez know by emailing her at annette@rahernandez.com. If you will be coming to the gym Friday night for the adult comp, please bring your sale items then or by 8:00 am Saturday.

Climbing team members and parents who have a Facebook account, Momentum now has a Facebook page as well so please sign in and "friend" Momentum so that we can get the word out to as many people as possible about how awesome our gym is. For those of you who don't know, if you refer somebody who signs up for a gym membership or has a child that joins the climbing team, you will receive a free month of your membership or a free month of team dues.

Indian Creek Trip-March 27-29, 2009

Fashion goes out the window at Indian Creek!