Sports
UW-SP alumnus Sam Janicki (right) came back to compete in the annual rock climing competition. Janicki helped out by supplying extra equipment.
Climbers come from across the state to compete at annual competition
The Pointer
jspra793@uwsp.edu
Members of the climbing community from all over the state scaled their way to the top at the annual University of Wisconsin- Stevens Point climbing competition on Friday.
Climbers from Madison, Milwaukee, La Crosse, Wausau and Stevens Point gathered at the climbing wall in the Multi-Activity Center of the Health Enhancement Center.
“We had a 50-year-old guy all the way down to an 8-year-old kid,” said UW-SP climbing instructor Jeremy Erickson. Anyone was allowed to compete in the climbing competition, hosted by the UW-SP climbing wall, except for the climbing instructors, who set up the routes.
“When you set up for competitions you want to make sure to set a diversity of routes because you want to be able to fit different skill levels from beginner to advanced,” Erickson said.
Competitors entered into three different categories of beginner, intermediate or advanced. The climbing instructors belayed for the competitors and made sure they climbed the correct routes.
“You can climb as many [routes] as you want but they take the five highest scores,” said competitor and UW-SP alumnus Sam Janicki.
Supervisor at the climbing store Nicros, Inc., in St. Paul, Minn., Janicki helped sponsor the event by supplying climbing holes and training tools from his company.
Gifts and prizes were awarded from a variety of local stores including Divepoint Scuba, Noodles and Company, Polito’s, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut.
There were over seventy people at the event observing or competing Erickson said.
“I think it’s great to see everyone coming out and being supportive regardless of their competition level,” competitor Jesse Neumann said. He provided the musical entertainment for the competition with his computer and speaker system.
Despite a great turnout, there’s always the risk of getting hurt while climbing, just like in any sport.
“Some consequences to climbing on that [boulder wall],” said climbing instructor Jim Rasico as a competitor lost her grip and fell about eight feet.
“You can climb up to 15 feet without a belayer,” he said, “just make sure you have a spotter and pads underneath you.”
While it only takes 20 minutes to go through belay schooltraining, some climbers thrive off the thrill of dangling up to 15 feet high without any protective harness. There have only been two accidents with broken ankles over the past few years, said Erickson.
UW-SP students can receive belay certification for free, while it costs faculty and community members $10. The climbing wall is open from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday and Fridays 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
“The climbing wall brings together a strong community of strong people,” Erickson said.
