The Recreation and Wellness Center kicked off the University Climbing Series (UCS) by hosting the first bouldering competition of the year in late January.
Bouldering is a specialized type of rock climbing, usually to heights between 12 and 15 feet, with color-coded routes of increasing difficulty. The more difficult a route, the more points a climber can earn by finishing it.
Fourteen students from several universities participated in the competition. In the men’s division, UA students Will Snyder, pictured at right, and Jason Zwick took third and fourth place respectively. UA student Asia Dudick placed third in the women’s division.
“I didn’t do as well as I had hoped, but there is only one way to get better,” says Snyder.
“The goal of the UCS is to strengthen the regional climbing community by offering reasonably priced competitions that are fun and feature quality route setting,” says Jon Dent, manager of outdoor adventure at the Rec Center. “This year, UA opened the series with a spirited yet friendly competition, where competitors were as encouraging of one another as they were determined. Many of the climbers said they look forward to returning to UA for next year’s event.”
While the climbs are hard work, they are also “loads of fun,” says Zwick. “There were tons of both new and familiar people coming to climb and watch. I didn’t do quite as well as I’d hoped, but that means there is always room for improvement in future comps!”
Upcoming competitions in the series will be hosted by Slippery Rock University, Youngstown State University and West Virginia University. Rock Mill Bouldering Gym in Akron is the host site for the final competition of the series.
► Story by Erica Cantrell
► Media contact: Lisa Craig, 330-972-7429 or lmc91@uakron.edu.
