Rock Climbing team reaches new heights

Olivia Zellner | The Chronicle

Olivia Zellner | The Chronicle In a sport that pushes both physical limits and mental endurance, the Mason High School (MHS) Rock Climbing team is finding its foothold — both on the wall and in competition. MHS Rock Climbing, which was once a recreational club, has recently evolved into a competitive presence, with climbers regularly participating in the American Scholastic Climbing League (ASCL). Although the team has been making waves in the competitive sphere, Konner Chan, a senior rock climber, said the team’s origins were more about fun than fierce competition. “I was just looking for a club to do as a sophomore, and I found rock climbing,” Chan said. “It’s turned out to be such a supportive community. Everyone around you only wants the best for you.” Chan said rock climbing preparation for competitions is less structured than in other sports, with it being less focused on events and times, but rather members simply dedicating themselves to climbing whenever they can. “Our only preparation is getting on the wall as much as possible,” Chan said. “It’s all about getting out there and enjoying the process, which helps take off the pressure of performing.” In addition to the physical aspects of the sport, Chan said that mental focus is key to improving. He said that, while in the middle of a climb, focusing on each move without letting the pressure of the audience get to you is essential. “It’s so important just to focus on the next hold in front of you and not on who’s watching,” Chan said. “I just think, ‘Okay, how can I get to the next spot, step by step?’” Chan said the team’s recent success at the Oakley competition, which earned Mason a first-place title, highlighted how far they have come as individuals, but more importantly, as a team. “First, second, third — they were all Mason,” Chan said. “It was super cool to see that result on the board, and it just affirmed all of the hard work we’d been doing.” Kyle Anderson, an MHS senior, said that while hard work and physical strength are crucial, overcoming fear is also a major part of climbing — especially on taller walls. “If you fall, you’re falling really far because the rope ends up below you,” Anderson said. “That leads to a lot of hesitancy, and the longer you’re on the wall, the more tired you get. It’s a vicious cycle.” Anderson also said that getting past the early struggles of the sport can be difficult for many beginners, and it is something he and his teammates had to overcome over time. “The first month you’re climbing, after an hour, you’re just so tired you can’t do anything,” Anderson said. “It can be super discouraging, but once your muscles get stronger, there’s a big jump, and you start to see real progress.” With ASCL being a high school league, Anderson said the less competitive but more supportive atmosphere of the climbing community helps ease the pressure of competition. “Everyone is trying to help you, as opposed to a team versus team environment,” Anderson said. “It’s really encouraging to have that many people rooting for you.” He also said the team’s laid-back environment makes it easy for climbers of all skill levels to feel comfortable. “We just have fun,” Anderson said. “No one’s under scrutiny if they fall or mess something up. Wherever people are in terms of skill, they’re welcome.” For Joshua Saperstein, that supportive environment helped him reach new heights — literally. Saperstein, only a freshman, recently placed 27th in the nation at the ASCL National Invitational. “There were a lot of climbers from different regions, and they’re all incredible, obviously,” Saperstein said. “But their setting style was kind of different, which was so cool to see. It was more of a competition style, which I’m actually used to. It was a lot of fun.” Whether it is a new course or long climbs, Saperstein said his journey to nationals was not easy, especially after breaking two fingers last May — a challenge he is still working through, as they have not yet healed. “I’ve had to get around the problem and use my other fingers,” Saperstein said. “I tape them when I’m not using them, but when I’m climbing, I just have to work around it. It’s not an injury that I want to stop me.” Despite the setbacks, Saperstein said missing out on making regionals two years ago, his sole goal that season, fueled his determination to keep improving. This fall, Saperstein finally made regionals and plans to climb at an even more elite level beginning next year. “Regionals was it, even after I broke my hand,” Saperstein said. “It’s all I wanted to do, and I worked so hard to get there. Finally achieving that goal was so rewarding.” Though the fear and challenges associated with rock climbing can be overwhelming, Anderson said he has carried one very important lesson with him throughout his career. “Even if you fall, at least fall trying to go for the next hold,” Anderson said. “You might hit it. You’re not going to know if you don’t try.”