ADIDAS OUTDOOR NAMES ROCK CLIMBER MICHAELA KIERSCH TO ITS TEAM OF ATHLETES
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LOS ANGELES (Feb. 28, 2017) – adidas Outdoor, the athletic brand in the outdoors, today announced the addition of rock climber Michaela Kiersch, 22, to its athlete team. In November of 2016, she became the first known female to send the Golden Ticket (5.14c) in Red River Gorge, Ky., considered to be one of the most difficult climbs at Red River Gorge. This was her third 5.14c grade ascent, climbing Lucifer at the Purgatory in Oct. 2016, and Pure Imagination last spring, both at Red River Gorge.
“Michaela handles challenging climbs head-on,” said Greg Thomsen, adidas Outdoor U.S. managing director. “She is a role model to female and youth athletes, balancing her climbing career, a full class schedule and working as a youth coach. She is extremely driven and dedicated, and has an aspiring level of focus for someone her age – values adidas Outdoor embraces. We look forward to supporting her future goals and adventures, and watching her inspire others.”
In 2016 and 2012, Kiersch took third place in the USA Climbing Sport & Speed Open Nationals. In 2013 and 2011, she took second in the female junior USA Climbing Bouldering Youth National Championship, and second in the 2013 female junior USA Climbing Sport & Speed Youth National Championships. Last year, she competed on season eight of “American Ninja Warrior” as a first-timer in Las Vegas.
A Chicago native, Kiersch started rock climbing when she was seven. She is currently a full-time senior studying bioscience at DePaul University in Chicago, and plans on attending graduate school studying occupational therapy. Additionally, she coaches First Ascent, a competitive youth rock climbing team.
About adidas Outdoor: adidas Outdoor is the athletic brand in the outdoors. The company’s founder, Adi Dassler, designed equipment solutions for athletes that improved their performance. The long history of adidas Outdoor began in the 1970s with the creation of the first light trekking shoes. Climbing legend Reinhold Messner helped adidas design super light and fast approach hiking shoes for his first Everest ascent without supplemental oxygen in 1980. The tradition continues today with products influenced by Messner, as well as notable extreme outdoor adventurers from around the world.
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Contact: Kristen Bujold, kristenb@cgprpublicrelations.com, 781-639-4924 Ext. 115
