For the fifth year in a row, the University of Utah Climbing Team won the USA Climbing Collegiate National Championships. Held in Kennesaw, Georgia, from May 21-24, the event brought together more than 350 competitors from 105 colleges nationwide to compete in lead, boulder, and speed disciplines. Utah Climbing beat runner-up University of Colorado Boulder by nearly 2,200 points and secured five podium finishes across the advanced and intermediate categories:

• Logan Miner, first in men’s speed (advanced)
• Anderson Fuhrer, second in men’s lead and second in men’s boulder (advanced)
• Nathan Monte, third in men’s lead (advanced)
• Kaden Poore, third in men’s lead (intermediate)

A competitive and recreational club team run by students, Utah Climbing secured its own funds for competitions and sent more than 20 athletes to nationals this year.

USA Climbing’s collegiate championship is the highest national competition for college teams. Headquartered in Salt Lake City, USA Climbing is the governing body of competitive climbing in the U.S. and trains Team USA in Olympic sport climbing, which debuted at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Games.

Sophia Hoermann, a senior at the U majoring in computer science and world languages and cultures, is head coach of the Utah Climbing Team and its incoming president. Hoermann said she attributes the team’s success to the abundant outdoor climbing opportunities near campus and elite training facilities in Salt Lake.

“We get a lot of strong climbers moving to the U for school,” she said. But she believes the team’s inclusive approach also contributes to their success. “We welcome anyone who wants to compete, and we try to make a culture that’s inviting and provides lots of opportunities to learn.”

Hoermann said she’s proud of the team’s performance at nationals but even more proud of the level of camaraderie and support she witnessed.

“I saw a lot of people coming on days they weren’t competing to cheer on their teammates,” she said. “Event days are long and intense and can be really tiring. So, I’m proud of the sportsmanship our team showed with each other and with other teams.”

Photos by Daniel Gajda, courtesy USA Climbing