McColl, Harrington Wear North American Crowns

Sean McColl of Canada and American Emily Harrington, the two most successful North Americans on the international comp scene this year, added the continental sport-climbing championship to their laurels last weekend. The competition was held at Rock’n & Jam’n gym near Denver for both adult and junior competitors, in lead climbing and speed, from Canada, the U.S., and Mexico.

McColl, 19, was a double winner (lead and speed) at the Youth World Championship in August, and he placed ninth in bouldering and lead-climbing World Cups this year. Harrington, 20, won an international comp in France last summer and placed fifth at a World Cup in Germany and at the Arco Rockmaster invitational. Harrington also finished second in the biannual World Championship in 2005, and both she and McColl now have qualified for the 2007 World Championship next fall in Spain.

Americans Patrick Cassiday and Mykael-Ann McGinley won the open men’s and women’s speed-climbing championships last weekend, also qualifying for the World Championships.

The comp at Rock’n & Jam’n comp also determined the continental champions in four youth age groups, all of whom qualify for the Youth World Championship next summer in Ecuador. For complete results, visit www.usaclimbing.org.

Men’s Open (Lead)

1.    Sean McColl (CAN)
2.    Zeb Engberg (USA)
3.    Patrick Cassiday (USA) 

Women’s Open (Lead)

1.    Emily Harrington (USA)
2.    Sydney McNair (USA)
3.    Chelsea Rude (USA)

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