Dark Horses and Familiar Faces Take 2019 Sport and Speed Nationals
Unlock this article and more benefits with 50% off.
Already have an Outside Account? Sign in
40% Off Outside+.
$4.99/month $2.99/month*
Get the one subscription to fuel all your adventures.
- Map your next adventure with our premium GPS apps: Gaia GPS Premium and Trailforks Pro.
- Read unlimited digital content from 15+ brands, including Outside Magazine, Triathlete, Ski, Trail Runner, and VeloNews.
- Watch 600+ hours of endurance challenges, cycling and skiing action, and travel documentaries.
- Learn from the pros with expert-led online courses.
*Outside memberships are billed annually. Print subscriptions available to U.S. residents only. You may cancel your membership at anytime, but no refunds will be issued for payments already made. Upon cancellation, you will have access to your membership through the end of your paid year. More Details
USA Climbing hosted the 2019 Sport and Speed Open Nationals in Alexandria, Virginia, Friday and Saturday. This competition was open to any USA Climbing member 16 years and older, and for Olympic hopefuls, was the place to be this weekend.
It was neck-and-neck in Women’s Speed. Sienna Kopf from Golden, Colorado, had an impressive performance in Speed, coming out of finals in third place with a time of 8.95 seconds up the 15-meter wall. Piper Kelly of Indianapolis came in second—barely beating Kopf—with a time of 8.9 seconds, and Emma Hunt from Atlanta secured first place with an impressive time of 8.83.
For men, Joe Goodacre from Boulder hit the clock at 6.67 seconds for third place, Noah Bratschi from Maryland topped out at 6.46 for seconds, and John Brosler from Texas won it all with a time of 6.26.
Sport climbing was up next, with Katherine Lamb from Lexington coming out from under the radar to snag third in the women’s division. Ashima Shiraishi, per usual, held a podium spot after an impressive performance, and came in second, and Margo Hayes can put another 1st place finish under her belt, winning the women’s Sport Open Nationals.
In the men’s division, Solomon Barth, from Collegeville, Pennsylvania, came in third to Zander Waller and Jesse Grupper, who won second and first place respectively. Waller competed for Stone Summit, the Georgia based team, and Grupper came with Philadelphia Rock Gym.
With climbing finally breaking through to the Olympics, the stakes of indoor competitions have been raised. Athletes from all over the country journey to competitions like these to see where they stand among other top-tier competitors, and to fight for coveted spots on Team USA for the 2020 Games in Tokyo.
Women’s Speed Top 3
- Emma Hunt
- Piper Kelly
- Sienna Kopf
Men’s Speed Top 3
- John Brosler
- Noah Bratschi
- Joe Goodacre
Women’s Lead Top 3
- Margo Hayes
- Ashima Shiraishi
- Katherine Lamb
Men’s Lead Top 3
- Jesse Grupper
- Zander Waller
- Solomon Barth
Click here to see the full results!
Also read
Ashima Shiraishi and Sean Bailey Win 2019 Bouldering National Championships