• Meet the Athletes of The 2023 US Pan American Team

  • Name: Sophia Curcio
  • DOB: 02/15/2006
  • Hometown: Charlotte, NC

PERSONAL

  • Started climbing at the age of 10
  • Hobbies include cooking and snowboarding
  • Favorite athlete is Aspar Aspar
  • Currently studying Economics, with a minor in Chinese, at the University of Utah

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • 2024 National Team Trials: Gold Medal (Women’s Speed)
  • 2024 North American Cup Series Salt Lake City: Silver Medal (Women’s Speed)
  • Has competed in 23 IFSC World Cups
  • Name: Natalia Grossman
  • DOB: 06/22/2001
  • Hometown: Salt Lake City, UT

PERSONAL

  • Began climbing at the age of six
  • Started her climbing career in California before moving to Boulder, CO
  • Graduated with a major in Psychology and minor in Business from the University of Colorado, Boulder
  • Wants to be a therapist after finishing her climbing career

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS 

  • Olympic Games Paris 2024: 11th place (Women’s Boulder & Lead)
  • Has won 11 IFSC World Cup events, all of them in the Boulder discipline
  • Has 22 IFSC World Cup podium finishes
  • First woman to win four IFSC World Cup Series titles in a row
  • Name: Emma Hunt
  • DOB: 04/01/2003
  • Hometown: Woodstock, GA

PERSONAL

  • Began climbing at the age of five
  • Majoring in Spanish, Modern Languages and looking into pursuing a degree in Healthcare Sciences at Kennesaw University

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS 

  • 2024 Women’s Speed National Champion
  • Olympic Games Paris 2024: 5th Place (Women’s Speed)
  • Currently holds the Women’s Speed National Record: 6.30 (April 24, 2024; North American Cup Series Salt Lake City 2024)
  • Currently holds the Women’s Speed Pan American Record: 6.36 (August 5, 2024; Olympic Games Paris 2024)
  • Has 6 IFSC World Cup podium finishes
  • Name: Piper Kelly
  • DOB: 10/03/1999
  • Hometown: Indianapolis, IN

PERSONAL

  • Born in Indianapolis, Piper Kelly is the first-ever women’s speed climbing champion
  • Graduated from Xavier University in 2023 with a degree in Exercise Science, and minor in Psychology and Spanish
  • Loves coaching and working with younger athletes and hopes to stay involved in athletics as a coach after she wraps up her competitive career

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Olympic Games Paris 2024: 12th Place (Women’s Speed)
  • Finished 2023 ranked #26 in the world in Women’s Speed
  • Pan American Games Santiago 2023, gold (Women’s Speed)
  • Pan American Games 2018, gold (Women’s Speed)
  • Pan American Youth Games 2017, (Women’s Speed)
  • Name: Brooke Raboutou
  • DOB: 04/09/2001
  • Hometown: Boulder, CO

PERSONAL

  • Began climbing at the age of one
  • Daughter of former climbing world cup champions Robyn Erbesfield-Raboutou and Didier Raboutou
  • Older brother, Shawn, is also a successful competitive and outdoor climber

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Olympic Games Paris 2024: Silver Medal (Women’s Boulder & Lead)
  • Olympic Games Tokyo 2020: 5th Place (Women’s Combined)
  • Has 13 IFSC World Cup podium finishes
  • First U.S. climber ever to qualify for an Olympic Games
  • Became the youngest person in the world to climb 5.14b, at age 11
  • Name: Annie Sanders
  • DOB: 07/22/2007
  • Hometown: Fort Worth, TX

PERSONAL

  • Began climbing and competing at the age of seven
  • Currently the youngest member of the US National Team
  • Hobbies include swimming and mountain biking

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • One of only three climbers to win 2 IFSC World Cup medals at the same event (IFSC World Cup Seoul 2024, Women’s Boulder Gold + Women’s Lead Bronze)
  • 2024 National Team Trials: Gold (Women’s Lead/TR)
  • 2023 National Team Trials: Gold (Women’s Boulder, Lead, and Combined)
  • 2022 National Championships: 1st (Women’s Boulder, Lead)
  • 4 gold medals at Youth Worlds
  • Flashed Omaha Beach 5.14 at the New River Gorge
  • Name: Sean Bailey
  • DOB: 05/20/1996
  • Hometown: Shoreline, WA

Sean was born and raised in Seattle, WA. He was introduced to climbing by his dad on the granite walls of Index and was instantly hooked. During his teenage years he spent more time climbing than not. Getting outdoors on the weekends and training in the gym during the week became the routine. After spending his formative years cutting his teeth in the Cascades, he now splits time between World Cup Competitions and climbing around the world.

Sean climbs to push the limits of his mind and body. Whether it be a World Cup or a new project he is always looking to find the next level in his climbing progression. A true climber’s climber, Sean has a genuine appreciation for the experience of climbing and the community that exists within the sport.

Competition Highlights:
2021 SLC Bouldering World Cup Gold
2021 Villars Lead World Cup Gold
2021 Chamonix Lead World Cup Gold
2022 Chamonix Lead World Cup Silver
2022 Lead National Champion

  • Name: Zach Galla
  • DOB: 05/01/2000
  • Hometown: Atlanta, GA

Originating from the Southeast, Zach Galla cut his teeth outside on sandstone test pieces and as a part of the internationally known Stone Summit climbing team based in Atlanta, Georgia. Upon entering the senior field of competition, Galla quickly gained experience on the IFSC World Cup circuit competing in 36 international events between 2019 and 2022.

In 2021 Galla moved from his Southeastern home to Salt Lake City, Utah, which allows him the ability to consistently train with the US National Team and work as a routesetter at a local Salt Lake climbing gym, The Front Climbing Club. This relocation also allowed Galla the time to work on and complete The Grand Illusion in nearby Little Cottonwood Canyon. The Grand Illusion carries the exceptionally rare boulder grade of V16 and is widely held as one of the most difficult climbs in the world.

  • Name: Noah Bratschi
  • DOB: 07/31/2000
  • Hometown: Potomac, MD

PERSONAL

  • Started climbing at the age of five and competing at the age of nine
  • Hobbies included playing videogames
  • Favorite athlete is Bassa Mawem

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Competing in the Olympic Qualifier Series, for the chance to qualify for Paris 2024
  • 2024 National Team Trials: 1st (Men’s Speed)
  • Name: John Brosler
  • DOB: 03/19/1997
  • Hometown: Plano, TX

PERSONAL

  • Started climbing and competing at the age of 12
  • Hobbies include making/drinking good coffee, spending quality time with good friends, and riding motorcycles

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

  • Competing in the Olympic Qualifier Series, for the chance to qualify for Paris 2024
  • Pan American Games Santiago 2023: 9th (Men’s Speed)
  • IFSC W0rld Cup Chamonix 2023: 5th (Men’s Speed)
  • IFSC World Cup Edinburgh (GBR) 2022: 7th (Men’s Speed)
  • World Games Birmingham 2022: 5th (Men’s Speed)
  • IFSC World Cup Villars 2022: 7th (Men’s Speed)
  • Name: Jesse Grupper
  • DOB: 01/06/1997
  • Hometown: Upper Montclair, NJ

PERSONAL

  • Started climbing at the age of six after his parents signed up his sister first
  • Began competing in climbing events at the age of nine
  • Graduated from Tufts University with a degree in mechanical engineering
  • Hobbies include playing banjo and “collecting” outdoor climbing adventures from across the globe, including South Africa and France

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS 

  • Olympic Games Paris 2024: 18th Place (Men’s Boulder & Lead)
  • Has 5 IFSC World Cup podium finishes
  • Pan American Games Santiago 2023, gold (Men’s Boulder & Lead)
  • Has collected three medals (one silver, two golds) on the IFSC World Cup circuit as of Nov. 2023
  • Name: Sam Watson
  • DOB: 02/27/2006
  • Hometown: Southlake, TX

PERSONAL

  • Began climbing at the age of five
  • Hobbies include playing chess and playing Mario Kart
  • Favorite athlete is Manu Ginobili
  • Currently studying Operational Supply Chain Management at the University of Utah

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS 

  • Olympic Games Paris 2024: Bronze Medal (Men’s Speed)
  • Currently holds the Men’s Speed World Record: 4.74 (August 6 2024, Olympic Games Paris 2024)
  • First American male to win an IFSC World Cup Series title (2024 Speed World Cup Series title)

2023 Pan American Games - Santiago, Chile.

The XIX Pan American Games are scheduled to take place from 20 October to 5 November 2023 in the Chilean capital of Santiago.

As the largest multi-sport event in the Americas, over 6,800 athletes will participate in the Games, competing in 38 different sports. Sport Climbing will make its debut appearance at the Pan American Games in 2023, after a vote by the LVIII General Assembly of Panam Sports secured the sport’s position on the programme.

Olympic Qualification Event

This year the Pan American Games will also serve as an Olympic qualification event for sport climbing. With two (2) qualification spots available for the boulder/lead combined and speed events, the top male and female athletes in each discipline will earn their spot to compete at the 2024 Olympic games in Paris. (unless said top athlete has already qualified, in which case, the next highest placed athlete will receive the qualification) 

While one of the US Pan American team members, Emma Hunt, secured her Olympic qualification at the 2023 World Championships earlier this year, the rest of the team will be vying for their chance to secure their spot in Paris.
Click on the athlete photos above to learn more about them!

Number of qualifying spots:
Speed – 1 Male / 1 Female
Boulder/Lead – 1 Male / 1 Female

How to Watch!

The 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago will be streamed live on the PANAM Sports Channel!
Fans will be able to watch broadcast coverage of all climbing events free of charge via the PANAM Sports Channel, as well as on the Panam Sports Channel TV and Mobile Apps available on Adroid and iOS.

Check out the event schedule below and set your reminders to tune in!

Event Schedule

SCHEDULE (Eastern Time Zone):

Saturday, 21 October:
10:00   Men’s Boulder & Lead semi-final, Boulder round
1:30   Men’s Boulder & Lead semi-final, Lead round
7:00   Women’s Speed qualification
7:50   Women’s Speed final

Sunday, 22 October:
10:00   Women’s Boulder & Lead semi-final, Boulder round
1:30   Women’s Boulder & Lead semi-final, Lead round
7:00   Men’s Speed qualification
7:55   Men’s Speed final

Monday, 23 October:
6:05   Men’s Boulder & Lead final

Tuesday, 24 October:
6:05   Women’s Boulder & Lead final

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