CULLOWHEE, N.C. - The Brevard College Climbing team made its 2020 debut with a strong showing at the USA Climbing local collegiate competition hosted by Western Carolina University on Saturday at Base Camp Cullowhee in Cullowhee, North Carolina. The event featured a grand total of 50 collegiate climbers from a variety of schools including Appalachian State, Lees-McRae, Wake Forest and host Western Carolina
The Tornados earned four total top-five finishes and six top-tens in the season-opener that marked the collegiate debut for several BC Climbing newcomers.
Brevard finished 3-4-5 and netted two additional top-tens in the men's competition that featured 32 total climbers. Freshman Caleb Trent led the way with 19,000 points en route to a team-high, third-place finish. Fellow freshmen Kendrick Austin (18,1000 pts) and Zachary Trent (16,000 pts) finished next in third and fourth place respectively.
Freshman Christopher Board placed seventh (14,900 pts), while junior Jake Roberts netted 13,600 points for a ninth-place result. Senior Taylor Everard (9,600 pts) finished 20th.
Caleb Trent came up with his third-place result in dramatic fashion as the freshman completed two of his most difficult climbs in the final five minutes of the competition as time was expiring.
On the women's side, sophomore Madison Altman carried over the success from her freshman season in 2018-19 with 11,500 points and a fourth-place result. Freshman Shyvonne Potter (7,700 pts) placed 11th in her collegiate debut in the women's event that featured 18 climbers.
The competition also marked the inaugural event for the new coaching staff at Brevard College of Head Coach Dan Horne, Assistant Coach Taylor Simpson and Assistant Coach Anna Horne.
"The BC climbing team put forth a great first showing of the season," said Head Coach Dan Horne. "They were strong and strategic. Caleb Trent put forth a very impressive third-place finish by coming up from behind and sending two of his hardest climbs in the last five minutes of competition."
The Brevard College climbing team will now continue its spring practice and competition schedule culminating with the USA Climbing Regional Championships on March 28 and the USA Climbing National Championships, April 17-19.
USA Climbing Men's Results:
3. Caleb Trent, 19,000 pts
4. Kendrick Austin, 18,100 pts
5. Zachary Trent, 16,000 pts
7. Christopher Board, 14,900 pts
9. Jake Roberts, 13,600 pts
20. Taylor Everard, 9,600 pts
USA Climbing Women's Results:
4. Madison Altman, 11,500 pts
11. Shyvonne Potter, 7,700 pts
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