The final competition of the 2025 North American Cup Series (NACS) took place in Salt Lake City, Utah over the weekend! More than 150 athletes showed up at USA Climbing’s downtown National Training Center to compete in Lead and Speed. Among those were a number of “comeback” competitors, including Natalia Grossman (an Olympian and highly-decorated World Cup competitor who competed for the first time since receiving ACL + meniscus surgery) and Nathaniel Coleman (an Olympic silver medalist who competed in a sanctioned competition for the first time since 2023).

Rothfork and Miner Race to Gold in Speed Finals

Speed was on display again, with one competitor (Isis Rothfork) stepping up to the plate just days after getting home from The World Games in Chengdu, China. Surprisingly, Rothfork told us that the quick turnaround affected her “only in a positive way.”

Rothfork kept steady momentum throughout Finals, posting a time of 7.11 seconds in the 1/4 final, 6.95 seconds in the 1/2 final, and 6.87 seconds in the big final. That ended up being the fastest women’s time of the weekend and earned Rothfork the gold medal.

“I’m feeling pretty psyched,” said Rothfork. “It’s always hard to execute in competitions and it’s been a learning process.”

Next on Rothfork’s radar is the IFSC World Cup Guiyang 2025.

On the men’s side, Logan Miner had plenty to celebrate, setting a competition personal best (and the second-fastest men’s time of the weekend) of 5.49 seconds in the 1/2 final. He would go on to beat Jasper Zhu in the big final, posting a time of 5.78 seconds and securing the gold medal.

“I’ve wanted a National-level win for a while and it’s good to finally get it,” said Miner, who moved to Salt Lake City a little less than two weeks ago.

While pursuing a psychology degree at the University of Utah is next on Miner’s mind, he assured us that he’ll also spend the off-season “getting as fast as (he) can.”

The Speed discipline also welcomed a wave of U17 (those aged 15-16-years-old) competitors for their own Finals. That’s a new addition to this year’s North American Cup Series, and one that USA Climbing hopes will give young athletes valuable experience and development opportunities at elite competitions.

Women’s Speed Podiums: 

Isis Rothfork (Adult), Alexis Prokopuk (U17)
Isabel Piotrowski (Adult), Anabelle Supratman (U17)
Natalie Gates (Adult), Hollis Robinson (U17)

Men’s Speed Podiums: 

Logan Miner (Adult), Griffin Smith (U17)
Jasper Zhu (Adult), Khoi Tran (U17)
Thomas Lin (Adult), Anthony Wise (U17)

Grossman Back On Top, Lakhno Wins Gold Again

Fans were on the edge of their seats as the Lead rounds welcomed up-and-comers, competition legends, and a few surprises. Natalia Grossman wooed the crowd in Qualification, returning from injury, but looking totally in control and placing first. In the Semi-Final, a demanding perch over her left leg gave Grossman a bit of pause, but she would still place third, easily punching her ticket to Finals. Sergey Lakhno, who just this past spring won National Team Trials, finished first in both Qualification and Semi-Finals, while Dillon Countryman trailed just behind him for both rounds. Nathaniel Coleman had a surprising slip during the Semi-Final, costing him the spot in Finals.

Grossman looked confident going into the Women’s Final route, despite the start being a run-and-jump, which she says she hasn’t done in about seven months due to her injury. After her commitment paid off, Grossman took advantage of rests and technical footwork to match Zoe Yi’s previous high point, and then set a new one. Neither Michaela Kiersch nor Analise Van Hoang could surpass that high point, ensuring the gold medal for Grossman. Not only was that her first medal on this Lead wall, but her first time ever competing on this Lead wall, which she often trains on before World Cups.

“I didn’t know what to expect coming into this competition,” said Grossman. “I’ve never felt so nervous before a Qualification route in my life. The Semi-Final was frustrating… Going into Finals, I was like, ‘I have nothing to lose.'”

Next, Grossman looks forward to competing at the YETI National Championships in February.

In the men’s field, all eyes were on Sergey Lakhno, who was aiming for first in all three rounds. Cruz Padilla had already secured the first top of the Men’s Final route, requiring that Lakhno also top to win. A slow lock-off to the final red dish secured him that top and the gold medal, his second win at a National-level event this year.

“I think this is some of the best routesetting I’ve seen at a USA Climbing competition,” said Lakhno after the round.

Sergey Lakhno will now head to the IFSC World Cup Koper 2025, followed by the IFSC World Championships Seoul 2025.

Men’s Lead Podium: 

Sergey Lakhno
Cruz Padilla
Nathan Sato

Women’s Lead Podium: 

Natalia Grossman
Zoe Yi
Analise Van Hoang

Full results can be found at usac.results.info. You can rewatch the Semi-Final and Final rounds of the 2025 North American Cup Salt Lake City at any time on the USA Climbing YouTube channel.

Follow @usaclimbing on social media for future updates and behind-the-scenes action.