Climbers Compete in Austin to Join National Team
116 of the country’s best climbers spent the past week in Austin for USA Climbing’s 2025 National Team Trials Presented by YETI. The event awarded spots on the 2025 National Team, which will represent the USA at international World Cups and World Championships. Podiums were also awarded during the event, though athlete’s combined scores from USA Climbing’s YETI National Championships and National Team Trials determined the National Team athletes.
In total, Mesa Rim Climbing Center hosted five days of Lead, Speed, and Boulder competition, covering the three disciplines of competitive climbing. While the Olympic Games Paris 2024 may have just ended, athletes shared excitement for LA28, hoping to join the US National Team and begin earning as much international competition experience as possible.
“My sights are set for LA28, so I’m just gonna train for that and keep working hard,” said Micaela Patajo.
In Lead, Melina Costanza, Adriene Akiko Clark, Sergey Lakhno, Declan Osgood, and Cruz Padilla all earned enough points to join the National Team. They’ll join preselected athletes, including Paris 2024 Olympians Colin Duffy, Jesse Grupper, Natalia Grossman, and Brooke Raboutou, as well as Annie Sanders, an Austin local who scored high enough in international competitions last year to qualify, and who attended the competition to support other athletes.
“I felt that if I was my happiest I would be my best,” said Clark about her positive competition experience.
In Speed, Sophia Curcio, Isis Rothfork, Madi Walsh, Michael Hom, Merritt Ernsberger, and Logan Schlecht all earned enough points to join the National Team. They’ll join preselected athletes, including Paris 2024 Olympians Zach Hammer, Emma Hunt, Piper Kelly, and Sam Watson.
“All of my friends are here and I just get to yell and scream and try my hardest,” said Michael Hom after Speed Finals.
In Boulder, Melina Costanza, Adriene Akiko Clark, Vail Everett, Zander Waller, and Ben Hanna all earned enough points to join the National Team. They’ll join the same five preselected Lead athletes (who are also all preselected for the 2025 Boulder National Team).
When asked about his future plans, Hanna replied, “A few outside (climbing) projects and then lots of World Cups.”
A full Lead recap, Speed recap, and Boulder recap are all available on the USA Climbing website. Replays of the Semi-Final and Final rounds are also available on Outside TV.
Event Recaps Event Replays Photos for Editorial Use National Team RosterFor media questions, please contact:
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