• Meet the Athletes of Team USA

2026 Para National Team

Gina Applebee
Watson Armstrong
Phoebe Barkan
Maureen Beck
Isabel Benvenuti
Seneida Biendarra
Kira Brazinski
Chris Brelsford
Tyler Brooks
Brayden Butler
Oliver Carnazzo
Brittany Chadbourne
Ashley Colburn
Carlie Cook
Evangeline Crossman
Anna DeVries
Kaitlyn Dotson
Maurice Ewing
Josephine Fouts
Gordon Fralick
Jake Frank
Max Gayford
Ian Gleason
Megan Gleason
Rayaan Haasan Mohammadi
Daliya Hansen
Mo Keller
Brookelyn Kelly
Natalie Kennedy
Mason Keough
Mei Krause
Emeline Lakrout
Matthew Lynch
Crystal Martin
Paul Martin
Andrew Martinez
Ben Mayforth
Caleb McDonald
Nathan McKinley
Scott McKinney
Jeffrey Mellenthin
Wanying Morningstar
Amy Mullins
Benen Parlmer
Linn Poston
Nicolas Previtali
Justen Proctor
Lindsay Purcell
Johnny Quintana
Corey Ramos
Beki Roberts
Eleanor Rubin
Melissa Ruiz
Jamie Schanbaum
Ben Schuler
Emily Seelenfreund
Jessica Semmel
Lee Shaffer
Trevor Smith
Cail Soria
Jackie Stewart
Eric Strong
Veronica Sturman
Natalie Sullivan
Kaitlyn Truscott
Nat Vorel
Taiten Wakefield
Teddy Westrick
Sunny Yang
Brian Zarzuela
Ethan Zilz
Hannah Zook
  • Name: Gina Applebee
  • DOB: 09/28/1985
  • Hometown: Charleston, SC

CATEGORY: Women B1

PERSONAL

  • Started climbing at 38 years old
  • Other activities include swimming, aerials on rope, running, listening to music, yoga
  • Favorite athlete Aimee Mullins

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Name: Watson Armstrong
  • DOB: 04/19/2011
  • Hometown: Hoover, AL

CATEGORY: Men/Open Youth

PERSONAL

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Name: Phoebe Barkan
  • DOB: 04/24/1985
  • Hometown: Berkeley, CA

CATEGORY: Women B3

PERSONAL

  • Has been climbing for more than 20 years
  • Hosts a podcast, Disability Happy Hour, with her blind brothers

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Attended first National Championships in 2023, qualifying for the National Team and going on to compete in her first World Cup
  • Name: Maureen Beck
  • DOB: 10/03/1986
  • Hometown: Arvada, Colorado

CATEGORY:  Women AU2

PERSONAL

  • Started climbing at age 12
  • Other activities outside of climbing are: XC Skiing, Flyfishing, Whitewater Rafting, Chicken Mom
  • Favorite athlete is Dottie Hinson

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • 2026 Para Climbing National Championships: Bronze (W-AU2)
  • Has Podiumed in every IFSC World Cup and Championship she has competed in: 3 Gold, 4 Silver, 5 Bronze
  • Name: Isabel Benvenuti
  • DOB: 05/03/1996
  • Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

CATEGORY: Women AU2

PERSONAL

  • Has been climbing for 3 years
  • Hoping to compete at the Paralympic Games LA28

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Has competed in 3 IFSC Para Climbing World Cups and 1 World Championships
  • Name: Seneida Biendarra
  • DOB: 07/04/1996
  • Hometown: Reno, NV

CATEGORY: Women B2

PERSONAL

  • Has been climbing for 9 years
  • Climbed for 2 years outside before climbing inside
  • Works as a Product Developer at Cascade Designs
  • Hopes to climb The Nose in Yosemite

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Has competed in 3 IFSC Para Climbing World Cups and 1 World Championships
  • Name: Kira Brazinski
  • DOB: 06/21/1992
  • Hometown: Victor, ID

CATEGORY: Women AL2

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • 2026 Para Climbing National Championships: Bronze (W-AL2)
  • Name: Chris Brelsford
  • DOB: 10/28/1991
  • Hometown: Murray, UT

CATEGORY: Men/Open AU2

PERSONAL

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Name: Tyler Brooks
  • DOB: 05/12/1997
  • Hometown: Palm Beach Gardens, FL

CATEGORY: Men/Open AU3

PERSONAL

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Name: Brayden Butler
  • DOB: 04/06/2006
  • Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT

CATEGORY: Men/Open RP2

PERSONAL

  • Has been climbing for 3 years
  • Hobbies include enduro and downhill mountain biking

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Has competed in 8 IFSC Para Climbing World Cups and 1 World Championships
  • Name: Oliver Carnazzo
  • DOB: 06/27/1998
  • Hometown: St. Louis, MO

CATEGORY: Men/Open RP3

PERSONAL

  • Has been climbing for 4 years
  • Hobbies include wheelchair rugby
  • Hopes to compete at the Paralympic Games LA28

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Has competed in 1 IFSC Para Climbing World Cup
  • Name: Brittany Chadbourne
  • DOB: 05/08/1998
  • Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT

CATEGORY: Women AL1

PERSONAL

  • Started climbing at the age of 21
  • Hobbies include nordic skiing, mountain biking, and spelunking
  • Favorite athlete is Oriane Bertone

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • 2026 Para Climbing National Championships: Silver (W-AL1)
  • 2025 Para Climbing National Championships: Bronze (W-AL1)
  • Name: Ashley Colburn
  • DOB: 12/24/1988
  • Hometown: Watertown, MA

CATEGORY: Women B1

PERSONAL

  • Started climbing at the age of 34
  • Other activities Ashley does are: play ukulele and guitar, knit, swimming and hiking. She is down to try almost anything once. On rest days she reads and is an avid audio-gamer.
  • Her favorite athlete is Hannah Chadwick. She is a paracyclist who competed at the Paralympics in 2024. Her dedication to her own sport helps keep her motivated in her own.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Name: Carlie Cook
  • DOB: 05/21/1991
  • Hometown: West Springfield, MA

CATEGORY: Women AL1

PERSONAL

  • Enjoys skiing and wheelchair basketball
  • Works as a Child Life Specialist in a Pediatric Emergency Department

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • 2026 Para Climbing National Championships: Gold (W-AL1)
  • 2025 Para Climbing National Championships: Gold (W-AL1)
  • Name: Evangeline Crossman
  • DOB: 04/05/2012
  • Hometown: Bend, OR

CATEGORY: Women Youth

PERSONAL

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Name: Anna DeVries
  • DOB: 01/09/2007
  • Hometown: Mooresville, NC

CATEGORY: Women RP2

  • Name: Kaitlyn Dotson
  • DOB: 07/20/1994
  • Hometown: Houston, TX

CATEGORY: Women RP3

  • Name: Maurice Ewing
  • DOB: 08/01/1996
  • Hometown: Madison, WI

CATEGORY:  Men/Open AL1

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • 2026 Para Climbing National Championships: Bronze (M/O-AL1)
  • Name: Josephine Fouts
  • DOB: 07/04/1991
  • Hometown: San Diego, CA

CATEGORY: Women AU2

PERSONAL

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • 2026 Para Climbing National Championships: 4th Place (W-AU2)
  • 2025 Para Climbing National Championships: 4th Place (W-AU2)
  • Name: Gordon Fralick
  • DOB: 08/21/1967
  • Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT

CATEGORY: Men/Open B2

  • Name: Jake Frank
  • DOB: 06/26/1998
  • Hometown: Fargo, ND

CATEGORY: Men/Open AL1

PERSONAL

  • Started climbing outside in Big Cottonwood Canyon, UT
  • Hobbies include Brazilian jiu-jitsu
  • Hopes to compete at the Paralympic Games LA28

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • 2026 Para Climbing National Championships: Silver (M/O-AL1)
  • 2025 Para Climbing National Championships: Silver (M-AL1)
  • Name: Max Gayford
  • DOB: 06/10/1996
  • Hometown: Hempstead, NY

CATEGORY: Men/Open B3

  • Name: Ian Gleason
  • DOB: 01/24/1981
  • Hometown: Charleston, SC

CATEGORY: Men/Open RP3

PERSONAL

  • Has been climbing for 27 years
  • Hobbies include playing the banjo
  • Hopes to climb The Shield in Stone Fort with one foot

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Has competed in 3 IFSC Para Climbing World Cups
  • Name: Megan Gleason
  • DOB: 01/22/1996
  • Hometown: Bainbridge Island, WA

CATEGORY: Women RP2

PERSONAL

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Name: Rayaan Haasan Mohammadi
  • DOB: 02/23/1981
  • Hometown: Berkeley, CA

CATEGORY: Men/Open B3

  • Name: Daliya Hansen
  • DOB: 04/20/2003
  • Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT

CATEGORY: Women AL2

PERSONAL

  • Has a cat named Kitchen

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • IFSC Para Climbing World Championships Seoul 2025: Bronze (W-AL2)
  • 2025 Para Climbing National Championships: Bronze (W-AL2)
  • Name: Mo Keller
  • DOB: 12/13/1989
  • Hometown: Spearfish, SD

CATEGORY: Men/Open AU2

PERSONAL

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Name: Brookelyn Kelly
  • DOB: 10/27/1981
  • Hometown: Sacramento, CA

CATEGORY: Women B3

PERSONAL

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Name: Natalie Kennedy
  • DOB: 05/03/2013
  • Hometown: Clive, IA

CATEGORY: Women Youth

PERSONAL

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Name: Mason Keough
  • DOB: 06/10/2004
  • Hometown: Coeur D Alene, ID

CATEGORY: M/O-AU3

PERSONAL

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • 2026 Para Climbing National Championships: Gold (M/O-AU2)
  • 2025 Para Climbing National Championships: Gold (M/O-AU2)
  • Competed in 4 World Climbing Cups/Championships
    • Podiumed 3 of the 4 Climbing Cups/Championships
  • Name: Mei Krause

PERSONAL

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Name: Emeline Lakrout
  • DOB: 06/23/1998
  • Hometown: New York City, NY

CATEGORY: Women B1

PERSONAL

  • Has been climbing for 3 years
  • Hobbies include triathalons and marathons
  • Leaving her marketing career to pursue disability advocacy full-time

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Has competed in 5 IFSC Para Climbing World Cups and 1 World Championships
  • Name: Matthew Lynch
  • DOB: 01/28/1989
  • Hometown: Kings Peak, NY

CATEGORY: Men/Open RP1

  • Name: Crystal Martin
  • DOB: 12/02/1985
  • Hometown: Yakima, WA

CATEGORY: Women RP3

PERSONAL

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Name: Paul Martin
  • DOB: 06/07/2000
  • Hometown: Pine Ridge, SD

CATEGORY: Men/Open RP1

PERSONAL

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Name: Andrew Martinez
  • DOB: 02/13/1997
  • Hometown: Hollister, CA

CATEGORY: Men/Open B3

PERSONAL

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Name: Ben Mayforth
  • DOB: 05/08/1994
  • Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT

CATEGORY: Men/Open RP2

PERSONAL

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Name: Caleb McDonald
  • DOB: 12/02/1997
  • Hometown: Simi Valley, CA

CATEGORY: Men/Open AL1

PERSONAL

  • Started climbing at the age of 19
  • Hobbies include watercolors, Wordle, and rereading the wheel of time
  • Favorite athlete are Peter Croft and Michael Reardon

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • 2026 Para Climbing National Championships: Gold (M/O-AL1)
  • Name: Nathan McKinley
  • DOB: 10/14/2009
  • Hometown: Colorado Springs. CO

CATEGORY: M/O-AU3

PERSONAL

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Name: Scott McKinney
  • DOB: 10/04/1987
  • Hometown: Oakland, CA

CATEGORY: Men/Open AL2

PERSONAL

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • 2025 Para Climbing National Championships: Bronze (Men AL2)
  • Name: Jeffrey Mellenthin
  • DOB: 02/04/1969
  • Hometown: Missouri City, TX

CATEGORY: Men/Open RP2

PERSONAL

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Name: Wanying Morningstar
  • DOB: 02/06/2009
  • Hometown: Orem, UT

CATEGORY: Women AU3

PERSONAL

  • Started climbing at 9 years old

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • 2026 Para Climbing National Championships: Gold (W-AU3)
  • Name: Amy Mullins
  • DOB: 11/06/1998
  • Hometown: Atlanta, GA

CATEGORY: Women B3

PERSONAL

  • Has been climbing for 15 years
  • Programs Braille Tablets and loves learning about web accessibility

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Has competed in 2 IFSC Para Climbing World Championships
  • Name: Benen Parlmer
  • DOB: 04/21/2000
  • Hometown: Lakewood, CO

CATEGORY: Men/Open AU3

PERSONAL

  • Started climbing at age 19
  • Other activities include whitewater rafting
  • Favorite athlete is Chongo Chuck

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Name: Linn Poston
  • DOB: 03/09/2008
  • Hometown: Lakewood, CO

CATEGORY: Women B3

PERSONAL

  • Started climbing at the age of 2
  • Hobbies include cello and trombone
  • Has a goal to flash 5.12+
  • Hopes to compete at the Paralympic Games LA28

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • 2026 Para Climbing National Championships: Gold (W-B3)
  • 2025 Para Climbing National Championships: Gold (W-B3)
  • Has competed in 1 IFSC Para Climbing World Cup
  • Name: Nicolas Previtali
  • DOB: 11/09/2010
  • Hometown: Park City, UT

CATEGORY: Men/Open Youth

PERSONAL

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Name: Justen Proctor
  • DOB: 05/18/1983
  • Hometown: Eagan, MN

CATEGORY: Men/Open B1

PERSONAL

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Name: Lindsay Purcell
  • DOB: 02/23/1989
  • Hometown: Houston, TX

CATEGORY: Women RP3

PERSONAL

  • Started climbing about 5 years ago

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Has represented Team USA at 8 IFSC Para Climbing World Cups and 1 World Championships
  • Name: Johnny Quintana
  • DOB: 11/23/1988
  • Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT

CATEGORY: Men/Open RP2

PERSONAL

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Name: Corey Ramos
  • DOB: 07/27/1992
  • Hometown: Decatur, GA

CATEGORY: Men/Open AL2

PERSONAL

  • Started climbing at the age of 18
  • Hobbies include videogames and comics
  • Favorite athlete is Aidan Roberts

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • IFSC Para Climbing World Championships Seoul 2025: Bronze (Men AL2)
  • IFSC Para Climbing World Cup Salt Lake City 2025: Silver (Men AL2)
  • Name: Beki Roberts
  • DOB: 09/03/1980
  • Hometown: Sanford, FL

CATEGORY: Women RP2

PERSONAL

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Name: Eleanor Rubin
  • DOB: 04/19/1994
  • Hometown: San Francisco, CA

CATEGORY: Women AU2

PERSONAL

  • Has been climbing for 8 years
  • Hobbies include mountain biking
  • Hopes to climb at the Paralympic Games LA28

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Has competed in 4 IFSC Para Climbing World Cups and 1 World Championships
  • Name: Melissa Ruiz
  • DOB: 05/30/1995
  • Hometown: Bronx, NY

CATEGORY: Women RP1

PERSONAL

  • Has been climbing for almost 7 years
  • Hopes to compete at the Paralympic Games LA28

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Has competed in 9 IFSC Para Climbing World Cups and 3 World Championships
  • Name: Jamie Schanbaum
  • DOB: 10/04/1988
  • Hometown: Brooklyn

CATEGORY: Women AU3

PERSONAL

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Name: Ben Schuler
  • DOB: 08/15/1990
  • Hometown: Brooklyn, NY

CATEGORY: Men/Open B1

PERSONAL

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Name: Emily Seelenfreund
  • DOB: 09/12/1990
  • Hometown: Oakland, CA

CATEGORY: Women RP2

PERSONAL

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Has competed in 4 IFSC Para Climbing World Cups and 1 World Championships
  • Name: Jessica Semmel
  • DOB: 09/26/1973
  • Hometown: Larchmont, NY

CATEGORY: Women B2

PERSONAL

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Name: Lee Shaffer
  • DOB: 01/16/2001
  • Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT

CATEGORY: Men/Open AL2

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • 2026 Para Climbing National Championships: Silver (Men/Open AL2)
  • Name: Trevor Smith
  • DOB: 10/15/2001
  • Hometown: Boulder, CO

CATEGORY: M/O-AU2

PERSONAL

  • Has been climbing since 2016
  • Hopes to compete at the Paralympic Games LA28

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • 2026 Para Climbing National Championships: Bronze (M/O-AU2)
  • 2025 Para Climbing National Championships: Silver (M/O-AU2)
  • Has competed in 2 IFSC Para Climbing World Cups and 2 World Championships
  • Name: Cail Soria
  • DOB: 07/08/1997
  • Hometown: Denver, CO

CATEGORY: Women AL2

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • 2026 Para Climbing National Championships: Gold (W-AL2)
  • IFSC Paraclimbing World Cup Arco 2024: Bronze (W-AL2)
  • Name: Jackie Stewart
  • DOB: 11/01/2004
  • Hometown: Hazel Green, AL

CATEGORY: Women RP1

PERSONAL

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Name: Eric Strong
  • DOB: 02/24/1983
  • Hometown: Charlotte, NC

CATEGORY: Men/Open B1

PERSONAL

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Name: Veronica Sturman
  • Hometown: Natchitoches

CATEGORY: Women AU3

PERSONAL

  • Started climbing at 18, but not seriously until recently
  • Other activities outside of climbing include running and dog training
  • Favorite athlete: I don’t think I could choose! But I think Rich Roll has been one of the most influential athletes for me. I got into running/endurance sports after reading his book and have picked a lot up over the years listening to his podcast. In climbing specifically, Mo Beck has been a big inspiration for me

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Name: Natalie Sullivan
  • DOB: 12/26/1994
  • Hometown: Washington, District of Columbia

CATEGORY: Women RP1

PERSONAL

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Name: Kaitlyn Truscott
  • DOB: 04/12/2000
  • Hometown: Draper, UT

CATEGORY: Women AL2

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • IFSC Para Climbing World Cup Salt Lake City 2025: 4th (W-AL2)
  • Name: Nat Vorel
  • DOB: 05/27/1998
  • Hometown: Oklahoma City, OK

CATEGORY: Women RP3

PERSONAL

  • Has been climbing for 9 years
  • Hobbies include para-rowing
  • Hopes to flash 5.12 outside and podium at the IFSC World Championships

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • 4x National Champion
  • Has competed in 4 IFSC Para Climbing World Cups and 1 World Championships
  • Name: Taiten Wakefield
  • DOB: 05/30/2015
  • Hometown: Auburn, WA

CATEGORY: Men/Open Youth

PERSONAL

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Name: Teddy Westrick
  • DOB: 11/11/2009
  • Hometown: Princeton, NJ

CATEGORY: Men/Open RP3

PERSONAL

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Name: Sunny Yang
  • DOB: 11/15/1969
  • Hometown: Red River Gorge, KY

CATEGORY: Men/Open RP1

PERSONAL

  • Has been climbing since 2004
  • Enjoys “climbing for living and living for climbing”

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Has competed in 6 IFSC Para Climbing World Cups and 2 World Championships
  • Name: Brian Zarzuela
  • DOB: 05/23/1997
  • Hometown: Columbia, MD

CATEGORY: Men/Open AU2

PERSONAL

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • 2026 Para Climbing National Championships: Gold (M/O-AU2)
  • Has competed in 14 IFSC World Cup and Championships: 4 Gold, 6 Silver, 3 Bronze (M/O-AU2)
  • Name: Ethan Zilz
  • DOB: 03/13/1998
  • Hometown: Seattle, WA

CATEGORY: Men/Open AL2

PERSONAL

  • Started climbing at the age of 16
  • Hobbies include reading and video games
  • Favorite athlete is Tomoa Narasaki

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • IFSC Para Climbing World Cup Salt Lake City 2025: Bronze (Men AL2)
  • IFSC Paraclimbing World Cup Innsbruck 2024: Gold (Men AL2)
  • IFSC Paraclimbing World Cup Salt Lake City 2024: Silver (Men AL2)
  • IFSC Paraclimbing World Championships Bern 2023: Silver (Men AL2)
  • IFSC Paraclimbing World Cup Salt Lake City 2023: Silver (Men AL2)
  • IFSC – Paraclimbing World Cup (L) – Salt Lake City (USA) 2022: Silver (Men AL2)
  • Name: Hannah Zook
  • DOB: 05/21/2005
  • Hometown: Sterling, VA

CATEGORY: Women RP1

PERSONAL

  • Has been climbing for 9 years
  • Currently studying abroad in the United Kingdom
  • Hopes to compete at the Paralympic Games LA28

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Has competed in 9 IFSC Para Climbing World Cups and 1 World Championships
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