Congratulations to Taylor Clarkin for winning the 2008 IFSC world youth speed climbing championships hosted August 28-31, 2008 in Sydney, Australia. As reigning US Youth National Speed Climbing Champion in her age group (Female Youth B :14-15yr), she secured a spot on the ’08 US youth national climbing team. She was the only American competitor amongst the 45 member US youth national team to bring home the Gold this year. Taylor is a member of the AZR ‘Ascenders’ – head coached by Joe Czerwinski. She has been a regular participant in TF youth performance training camps for the past 3 years and has won both peer-elected and coach-elected MVP awards at the multi-day training events. Following, is an in-depth interview with the rising power house.

Stats:
Hometown: Scottsdale, AZ
Age: 14
Height: 5’3’‘
Weight: 95
Ape Index (arm-span): -2
Coach: Joe Czerwinski
Training Facility: AZR-Scottsdale, AZ
Favorite Food: “Sushi”
Least Favorite Food: “Pad Thai”
Favorite Beverage: “Cream soda”
Favorite Book: “Twilight”
Favorite Music: “3 days grace, Paramore”
Favorite Movie: “Disturbia, Prom Night, Superbad”
Favorite school subject: “Math”
Favorite Crags: “The Gunks”
Least favorite school subject: (don’t worry, we won’t report it to your teachers) “Social Studies”
Favorite climbing competition discipline: “Speed”