Bend Endurance Academy Climbers Advance to Divisional Championships

Bend, OR, May 13, 2015 (Newswire.com) - Nine climbers from the Bend Endurance Academy (BEA) competed this past weekend in the USA Climbing Sport and Speed Divisional Championships event held at the Spire Climbing Center in Bozeman, MT.

The competition served as the qualifying event for the Divisional Championships that will be held June 13 – 14 at Bend Rock Gym in Bend, OR.  The BEA climbers came home with a third place team title, and as individuals had seven climbers post qualifying results for the June competition. 

“It was great to see our climbers end up on eight podium spots between both the sport climbing and speed climbing competitions,” states BEA climbing coach Mike Rougeux.  “The sport of rock climbing is getting more and more competitive with commercial climbing gyms in every city throughout the US and it’s always good to see the climbers from a small city like Bend do well” Rougeux commented about the increase in participation in youth rock climbing.

The local climbers will now be preparing for the Divisional Championships next month in Bend which will see over 200 youth climbers from Alaska to California competing for a invitation to the USA Climbing Sport and Speed National Championships.

Bend Endurance Academy Results

Male Junior (born in 1996 or 1997)

Kyle Anderson: Sport- 2nd , Speed 2nd

Male Youth B (born in 2000 or 2001)

Lukas Strauss-Wise: Sport- 2nd , Speed 2nd

Owen Jenkins: Sport- 8th

Male Youth C (born in 2002 – 2003)

Forest Franklin: Sport- 4th, Speed- 2nd

Gavin Bianicucci: Sport- 6th, Speed- 1st

Brady Pfeiffer: Sport- 8th

Male Youth D (born in 2004 or later)

Max Franklin: Sport- 3rd, Speed- 3rd

Female Youth B (born in 2000 or 2001)

Leah Pfeiffer: Sport- 4th, Speed: 4th

Female Youth D (born in 2004 or later)

Katie Lindsay: Sport 1st

About Bend Endurance Academy: The Bend Endurance Academy is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization. The Academy organizes and operates programs that promote health and wellness within Oregon. The Academy provides athletic coaching, mentorship, educational experiences, volunteer opportunities and events for a diverse group of youth, young adults, and other individuals who desire to excel at endurance sports. Our programs are innovative, affordable and inclusive. We work to encourage participants to succeed throughout every step of their athletic and individual development.

The Academy’s mission is to “promote healthy living through active, outdoor experiences. We emphasize teamwork, personal growth and community responsibility.” 

Bend Endurance Academy currently offer programs for Nordic Skiing, Cycling, and Rock Climbing.