2/23/11 - Just a week after ABS 12 National Championships, ABS 12 Youth Nationals transpired in the same warehouse in Boulder, Colorado. More than 300 athletes under 19 years old competed for spots on the U.S. Junior Bouldering Team.
Qualifiers took place on Friday, semi-finals on Saturday, and finals on Sunday. The top finishers from each category (five each for males and females) will be offered a spot on the U.S. team. Francesca Metcalf and Alex Johnson took the gold for Female and Male Juniors. This marks the second medal in less than two weeks for the competitors: they also competed in ABS Nationals the previous weekend, with both placing second. (For the 2010/2011 season, youth competitors may also compete in adult competitions if born in 1995 or earlier.)
**Climbers in bold were featured in Urban Climber No. 45: "Young Guns 2010." Click the name to read more about the athlete.