USA Climbing recently announced that High Point Climbing and Fitness in Memphis, Tennessee, will host this year’s National Team Trials. According to a press release, these trials will entail athletes competing in bouldering, lead climbing and speed climbing at the gym over a five-day period, from March 26-30. The top three ranked athletes (per gender) in each discipline by the event’s end will thus be selected to represent Team USA and compete at the international level (in IFSC World Cup events, etc.) this season.
John Wiygul, President of High Point Climbing and Fitness, noted that appropriate protocols related to COVID and athletes’ safety will be followed: “High Point is very excited to host National Team Trials in Memphis, Tennessee. We will be following all appropriate protocols to host a safe event and look forward to showing the growing climbing community here some serious sports action.”
Mason Sorey, Event Manager for USA Climbing, echoed this sentiment, stating: “Athlete health and well-being is our top priority. We look forward to working with High Point’s staff to provide a safe event for the competitors.”
Related to COVID safety, the five-day National Team Trials competition in Memphis is expected to operate without spectators and in conjunction with COVID guidelines set by local health departments and the CDC. USA Climbing’s own Medical Committee will also play a part in establishing safe measures and protocols.
The event will be livestreamed, with more details related to programming expected at a later date.
In 2019, CBJ explored the history of the High Point gyms in an article that can be found here. Stay tuned to CBJ for additional details about the USA Climbing season.
John Burgman is the author of High Drama, a book that chronicles the history of American competition climbing. He is a Fulbright journalism grant recipient and a former magazine editor. He holds a master’s degree from New York University and bachelor’s degree from Miami University. In addition to writing, he coaches a youth bouldering team. Follow him on Twitter @John_Burgman and Instagram @jbclimbs. Read our interview Meet John Burgman, U.S. Comp Climbing’s Top Journalist.
