Momentum Indoor Climbing’s Youth Team Places Second 2016 USA Climbing Sport & Speed Youth National Championships

SALT LAKE CITY (July 27, 2016) – Momentum Indoor Climbing announces that seven Team Momentum athletes had top finishes in their age categories at the USA Climbing Sport & Speed Youth National Championships held in Atlanta, Georgia on July 14-17, 2016. Their results earned the team a second-place finish overall in the sport-climbing category; 106 teams from around the United States participated in the competition.

Five athletes were named to the 2016 USA Youth National Climbing Team, including Nathaniel Coleman, 19, USA Climbing’s current Bouldering Open National and Youth Bouldering National Champion, who placed second, Sami Singleton, 14, who placed third and Shyanne Williams, 10, became Momentum’s first female national champion in the youngest age category for females. Zachary Wilson, 15, placed fourth in his age group while in the speed climbing category, Austin Hansel, 18, finished in fifth place, which also earned him a spot on the U.S. team.

Coleman, Hansel, Singleton, and Wilson will represent the United States at the International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) World Cup in China in November; Williams’ age group does not participate at the international level.

In the youngest age category for men, Oscar Baudrand, 10, took first place and was the only climber in the field to complete his route. Jackson Delgrosso, 11, finished in sixth place in his category.

“This team’s accomplishment is a true testament of Momentum’s positive culture as well as the dedication of our athletes, parents, and coaches,” said Jeff Pedersen, Momentum CEO and co-founder. “Each team member has been committed to training and accomplishing their personal goals while being supportive of their teammates.”

For the past three years, Momentum coaches’ Kyle O’Meara, Palmer Larsen, Noah Bigwood and Ben Tresco have created the training plans and prepared Team Momentum for competition. The perfect combination of coaching mirrored with world-class training facilities at Momentum’s Millcreek and Lehi locations have helped develop the skills Team Momentum needed to move from competing in the periphery of the top climbing teams to being a contender for the top team.

“Despite having a smaller elite crew compared to the larger teams competing, our team had an outstanding performance,” said O’Meara. “Everyone at Momentum is proud of our athletes. We have watched these young kids evolve from inexperienced climbers to confident competitors sharing the podium with world-class athletes that are now their peers.”

Earlier this year, Coleman became the second person in history to win the USA Climbing Bouldering National Champion title in both the youth and adult categories. He received The North Face’s 2016 Young Gun Award. The award recognizes up-and-coming climbers who represent the values of the climbing community, competitive climbing achievements, commitment to the sport and exemplary sportsmanlike conduct.

For more information on Momentum’s youth program or its gyms, please visit www.momentumclimbing.com.

About Momentum Indoor Climbing

For the last decade, Momentum™ Indoor Climbing has been developing inspiring climbing gyms to serve local communities. Based in Salt Lake City, the Momentum brand is fueled by a passion for evolving and sharing the sport of rock climbing through timeless wall designs, modern training facilities, programs and amenities that enhance the indoor climbing experience. Momentum is committed to building better climbers and cultivating lasting communities. For more information about Momentum, visit www.momentumclimbing.com or connect with Momentum on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Vimeo.

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Media contact:

Gina Traficant, gina@forteprlv.com, o. 702.898.2547