The Boulder rounds of USA Climbing’s National Team Trials Presented by The North Face concluded last night, determining which athletes will represent the United States on the 2026 Boulder National Team. This year’s event also introduced a new format. Rather than the traditional qualification, semi-final, and final rounds where athletes are progressively eliminated, all competitors advanced through three rounds of climbing. Athletes had three opportunities to earn strong finishes, with their rank in each round contributing to their final National Team Ranking score. A first-place finish in Round 1 counted just as much as a first-place finish in Round 3, rewarding consistency and breakthrough performances across the entire competition. Two athletes entered the competition already preselected through their Continuously Updated World Ranking: Annie Sanders on the women’s side and Colin Duffy on the men’s side. The remaining roster positions were determined through performances across the three rounds. Women’s Boulder National Team From left to right, and from highest to lowest National Team Ranking, Melina Costanza, Nekaia Sanders, Brooke Raboutou, and Adriene Akiko Clark. Not shown: Annie Sanders (preselected). Melina Costanza, Nekaia Sanders, Brooke Raboutou, and Adriene Akiko Clark secured their places on the 2026 Women’s Boulder National Team following three rounds of tightly contested climbing. Melina Costanza opened the competition with one of the strongest performances of Round 1, finishing first after topping multiple boulders early in the round. That strong start established an early advantage in the National Team Rankings. Contanza commented on the new format, “I think that it allowed a lot of opportunities for people to get on different styles. Everyone doing every single round was long overdue. I think it was really fun and it felt almost like a camp, which was also kind of enjoyable because we got to hang out with all our friends every round.” Adriene Akiko Clark followed with a breakthrough Round 2 performance, winning the round with impressive consistency across the five problems. Nekaia Sanders closed the competition with the strongest finish in Round 3. Brooke Raboutou also delivered steady performances throughout the competition, finishing near the top of the standings in multiple rounds to earn her position on the roster. Across the three rounds, the women’s field showcased both rising talent and experienced international competitors as they fought for limited team positions. Women’s Boulder National Team: Annie Sanders (Preselected) Melina Costanza Nekaia Sanders Brooke Raboutou Adriene Akiko Clark Men’s/Open Boulder National Team From left to right, and from highest to lowest National Team Ranking, Auggie Chi, Hugo Hoyer, Vail Everett, and Ben Hanna. Preselected: Colin Duffy. Auggie Chi, Hugo Hoyer, Vail Everett, and Ben Hanna earned their places on the 2026 Men’s/Open Boulder National Team following three gripping rounds of competition. Auggie Chi delivered one of the most dominant performances of the event in Round 1, winning the round after topping multiple problems with minimal attempts. That performance immediately placed him among the leaders in the National Team Ranking standings. Chi reflected on his performance after the event. “It honestly feels unreal considering I took a decent break from competition climbing,” said Chi. “I didn’t have many expectations coming into these events but I’m proud of my results!” Despite being preselected, Colin Duffy responded in Round 2 with a commanding performance of his own, winning the round and reinforcing his status as one of the top competitors in the field. Hugo Hoyer performed consistently strong across all three rounds and secured his National Team position with a strong finish in Round 3. Vail Everett also maintained steady performances across the rounds, including a second-place finish in Round 1 that helped secure his National Team Ranking. Ben Hanna rounded out the team with a series of consistent climbs across the competition, remaining within the top standings throughout the three rounds. The depth of the men’s field was on full display throughout the event as experienced international competitors and rising athletes battled across three rounds. Men’s/Open Boulder National Team: Colin Duffy (Preselected) Auggie Chi Hugo Hoyer Vail Everett Ben Hanna Full results from the 2026 National Team Trials Presented by The North Face are available here. Follow @usaclimbing on social media for competition updates and behind-the-scenes action. You can rewatch the National Team Trials Presented by The North Face on Outside TV.
The Speed rounds of USA Climbing’s National Team Trials Presented by The North Face concluded last night, determining which athletes will represent the United States on the 2026 Speed National Team. Three athletes are preselected to the team through their Continuously Updated World Ranking: Emma Hunt on the women’s team and Samuel Watson and Zachary Hammer on the men’s team. The remaining positions were determined through performances across the three Speed rounds. This year’s event also used a new format for Speed. In the past, athletes raced head-to-head in knockout rounds, with the climber who reached the top first advancing while the other was eliminated. At National Team Trials Presented by The North Face, however, the format for all three rounds is time-based. All athletes completed three rounds, with two races per round, and their fastest times contributed to their National Team Ranking score. Advancement was not determined by winning a race, but by recording the fastest possible time on the wall, rewarding consistency and breakthrough runs across all six attempts. From those performances, the top athletes secured their places on the 2026 USA Climbing Speed National Team. Women’s Speed National Team From left to right, and from highest to lowest National Team Ranking, Sophia Curcio, Isis Rothfork, Piper Kelly, and Lily Staudt. Not shown: Emma Hunt (preselected). Sophia Curcio, Isis Rothfork, Piper Kelly, and Lily Staudt earned places on the 2026 Women’s Speed National Team following three intense rounds. Curcio continued her strong season following her victory at the 2026 YETI Climbing National Championships in Orlando just two weeks earlier. She delivered one of the most consistent performances across the competition, finishing second in both Round 1 and Round 2 before winning Round 3 with a meteoric 6.71-second run, a new personal best. Curcio said she was most excited about her consistent performance throughout all three rounds. “It was definitely a cherry on top to do the fast lap of the competition during the last round when I was really tired,” Curcio added. Isis Rothfork also delivered a standout showing, winning both Round 1 and Round 2 with times in the mid-6-second range. Piper Kelly remained close behind the leaders throughout the event. A third-place finish in Round 2 and a strong second-place performance in Round 3 helped her secure a place on the team. Lily Staudt rounded out the team with steady results across the three rounds, including top three finishes in Round 1 and Round 3 that helped solidify her National Team Ranking. Together, the group forms one of the fastest women’s speed teams the United States has fielded. Women’s Speed National Team: Emma Hunt (Preselected) Sophia Curcio Isis Rothfork Piper Kelly Lily Staudt Men’s/Open Speed National Team From left to right, and from highest to lowest National Team Ranking, Michael Hom, Noah Bratschi, and Ben Jennings. Not shown: Samuel Watson and Zachary Hammer (preselected). Michael Hom, Noah Bratschi, and Ben Jennings secured their places on the 2026 Men’s/Open Speed National Team following three rounds of intense climbing. Ben Jennings, who won the Speed National Championship title at the 2026 YETI Climbing National Championships in Orlando two weeks earlier, opened the competition with a commanding Round 1 victory and a sharp 5.21-second run. He posted one of the top three times throughout all three rounds, securing his place on the team. Noah Bratschi delivered one of the strongest middle-round performances of the competition, winning Round 2 with a time of 5.18 seconds before finishing second in Round 3. Those consistent results across the final two rounds boosted his National Team Ranking score and secured his spot. Michael Hom closed the competition with the fastest (and only sub-five-second) run of the entire event, winning Round 3 with a blistering 4.93-second climb. That performance helped propel him high on the National Team rankings. Hom said he was excited about his sub-five-second run and reflected on his goals for the upcoming season: “The goal is to try to go to as many [comps] as possible and get top 10. If I get top 10, I think I can go to the 2027 Pan American Games. And obviously that’s how you go to the Olympics.” Across all three rounds, the men’s field showcased the growing depth of U.S. competitors as they prepare for the upcoming international season. Men’s/Open Speed National Team: Samuel Watson (Preselected) Zachary Hammer (Preselected) Michael Hom Noah Bratschi Ben Jennings Full results from the 2026 National Team Trials Presented by The North Face are available here. Follow @usaclimbing on social media for competition updates and behind-the-scenes action. You can rewatch the National Team Trials Presented by The North Face on Outside TV.
The Lead rounds of USA Climbing’s National Team Trials Presented by The North Face concluded last night with athletes earning their places on the 2026 Lead National Team. The event has proven to be one of the most competitive in recent memory because Olympic qualification events begin in 2027, and athletes are eager to gain international experience and position themselves early in the Olympic cycle. This year’s event also introduced a new format. Rather than the traditional qualification, semi-final, and final rounds where athletes are progressively eliminated, all competitors advanced through three rounds of climbing. Athletes had three opportunities to earn strong finishes, with their rank in each round contributing to their final National Team Ranking score. A first-place finish in Round 1 counted just as much as a first-place finish in Round 3, rewarding consistency and breakthrough performances across the entire competition. From those performances, the top athletes secured their places on the 2026 USA Climbing Lead National Team. Women’s Lead National Team From left to right, and from highest to lowest National Team Ranking, Brooke Raboutou, Ella Fisher, Analise Van Hoang, and Adriene Akiko Clark. Not shown: Annie Sanders (preselected). Brooke Raboutou, Ella Fisher, Analise Van Hoang, and Adriene Akiko Clark earned their places on the 2026 Women’s Lead National Team after three tightly contested rounds. Raboutou and Fisher immediately set themselves apart in Round 1. Both athletes were the only climbers in the field to top both routes. Those performances gave them crucial National Team Ranking points heading into the later rounds. Raboutou continued to demonstrate control throughout the event. She reached the high point in Round 2, maintaining her lead heading into the final round. In Round 3, she once again delivered under pressure, topping the route to secure the top overall National Team Ranking score. Raboutou reflected on returning to National Team Trials after several years of preselection through international results. “This year was really different for me,” Raboutou said. “I’ve been preselected since 2019. It was always the plan that I was gonna take a year off and that meant starting back at zero. It started with a bit of nerves at Nationals, and I think throughout each climb and each round, I gained confidence. It’s been great to be back in the atmosphere.” Fisher also remained a constant presence near the top of the leaderboard. After her dominant Round 1 performance, she followed with a strong Round 2 climb to hold second place before finishing Round 3 with another top, reinforcing her position among the nation’s strongest lead competitors. Behind the leading pair, Analise Van Hoang and Adriene Akiko Clark delivered critical performances. Van Hoang climbed consistently across all three rounds, including a standout Round 1 showing where she pushed high on both routes to finish third overall in the round. Clark similarly built momentum throughout the competition, reaching the upper sections of the routes in each round and maintaining a competitive ranking across the event. With strong results across all three rounds, the four climbers secured the highest National Team Ranking scores and earned their positions representing the United States in international lead competitions this season. That’s alongside Annie Sanders, who was already preselected due to her Continuously Updated World Ranking. Women’s Lead National Team: Annie Sanders (Preselected) Brooke Raboutou Ella Fisher Analise Van Hoang Adriene Akiko Clark Men’s/Open Lead National Team From left to right, and from highest to lowest National Team Ranking, Colin Duffy, Jesse Grupper, Sergey Lakhno, Ross Fulkerson, and Dillon Countryman. The Men’s/Open field delivered equally dramatic competition, with Colin Duffy, Jesse Grupper, Sergey Lakhno, Ross Fulkerson, and Dillon Countryman earning spots on the 2026 Lead National Team. Jesse Grupper opened the competition with a commanding Round 1 performance, finishing first after topping one route and reaching high on the other. His strong start placed him in an excellent position within the National Team Ranking standings from the beginning. Round 2 produced one of the most decisive moments of the event. Sergey Lakhno was the only athlete in the field to reach the top of the route, separating himself from the rest of the competitors and earning a crucial victory in the round. Colin Duffy demonstrated exceptional consistency across all three rounds. After placing second in Round 1 and again finishing near the top in Round 2, he delivered the highest point of Round 3, to secure the round win. His ability to remain competitive in every round ultimately earned him the top overall National Team Ranking score. Duffy said the competition format and recent events helped him prepare for the international season ahead, and highlighted how the new structure rewards consistent performance across the entire competition. “I think it’s good for selecting the best athletes,” he said. “Being rewarded for your qualification and semi-final performance is something that should be valued. This new format was really decisive in building a strong team.” Ross Fulkerson also maintained steady performances throughout the competition, placing near the top of the standings in each round, including a strong Round 3 climb that kept him within the leading group. Dillon Countryman rounded out the team with a series of solid performances across the event, highlighted by a fourth-place finish in Round 1 and another competitive showing in Round 2 that kept him in contention for a National Team position. With the points from all three rounds combined, the five athletes secured the highest National Team Ranking scores and earned their places on the 2026 USA Climbing Lead National Team. Men’s/Open Lead National Team: Colin Duffy Jesse Grupper Sergey Lakhno Ross Fulkerson Dillon Countryman Full results from the 2026 National Team Trials Presented by The North Face are available here. Follow @usaclimbing on social media for competition updates and behind-the-scenes action. You can rewatch the National Team Trials Presented by The North Face on Outside TV.
USA Climbing is excited to announce its 2026 National Championships schedule, including five events across the Elite, Para Climbing, Collegiate, and Youth Series. Within each of those series, the country’s top climbers will battle for the title of National Champion and inclusion on the 2026 National Teams. National Team athletes receive critical funding and support to represent the United States internationally, including at IFSC World Cups and World Championships. “We’re looking forward to sharing our biggest season yet with athletes and fans,” said Marc Norman, President & CEO of USA Climbing. “We’re grateful for the incredible support of our gym partners, who will host championship events across the country before we wrap up the season at USA Climbing’s own National Training Center in Salt Lake City.” 2026 Dates and Locations February 11–15 | YETI Climbing National Championships High Point Climbing and Fitness | Orlando, FL Event Resources February 28–March 1 | Para Climbing National Championships Momentum Climbing | Katy, TX Event Resources March 4–8 | National Team Trials Presented by The North Face Portland Rock Gym Beaverton | Portland, OR Event Resources May 21–24 | Collegiate National Championships Central Rock Gym | Kennesaw, GA Event Resources June 26–July 3 | Youth National Championships USA Climbing National Training Center | Salt Lake City, UT Event Resources Quotes John Wiygul, President of High Point Climbing and Fitness “We’re honored to host USA Climbing’s YETI Nationals at our brand-new facility in Orlando. This event will be an incredible opportunity to showcase our flagship gym on the national stage and put Florida on the map for competitive climbing.” Rees Williams, General Manager of Momentum Katy “The Para Climbing National Championships bring together the nation’s most inspiring and elite adaptive athletes to test their skill, strength, and determination on the wall. We’re honored to welcome competitors, routesetters, coaches, and fans from across the country for an unforgettable weekend of competition, community, and celebration of what’s possible in climbing. Join us as we cheer on these incredible athletes and showcase the spirit of inclusion, grit, and adventure that defines our sport!” Gary Rall, Owner & Founder, and Brendan Rall, Vice President, Sales of Portland Rock Gym “Portland Rock Gym is thrilled to partner with USA Climbing to bring National Team Trials to the Pacific Northwest. After hosting back-to-back Regional, Divisional, and National Youth Championships, we are proud of our proven ability to provide athletes and teams a world-class experience at our 65,000sqft Beaverton facility.” Alex Peacher, Chief Marketing Officer of Central Rock Gym “Central Rock Gym is thrilled to host the Collegiate National Championships! We are incredibly excited to welcome climbers from across the nation to CRG Kennesaw, and we look forward to a spectacular competition showcasing the talent and spirit of collegiate climbing. It’s going to be a fantastic event, and we can’t wait to share this experience with everyone.” Additional information, including spectator tickets and streaming schedules will be available closer to each event.