Being the youngest in her family, Sarah Sarno wanted to choose a sport that none of her family members had done before. Not only is rock climbing rare and unique in its own way, but it is also mentally challenging and difficult for those who have never done it before.

Sarah Sarno, 12,  makes the most of her free time after school by practicing climbing. She is in her third year of competitive climbing with the varsity sports at the Rock’n & Jam’n rock climbing gym. Rock climbing is an all-age sport and the groups for competing are separated by age. Sarno is in the junior category.   

“My parents love it, but it’s confusing. The scoring systems on on-site competitions are really elaborate and it’s based off of rank instead of just how well you did. You could do really well on a route everybody did well on, but then do well on a route that people did bad on and get more points for the one people did bad on,” said Sarno when asked about how her parents feel about rock climbing. “My sister is the most supportive. She always shows up to my competitions and is always the loudest to cheer me on even though she is the smallest person.”

At the regional and divisional competitions, Sarno placed 16th for the first competition and 4th at the speed round over two seasons, which got her an invitation to nationals. Speed competitions are “nice because the route never changes. It’s a way to train your mind instead of your body,” said Sarno. Participating in advanced and open routes, she mostly climbs indoors because it is where the competitiveness comes from in contrast to outdoor climbing which is more dangerous and is more of a relaxing activity.

For every climber, there is an overwhelming wall that looms over their head. The fear of falling starts to creep in and somehow climbers keep on climbing, forgetting about that fear. “I lead climb, which is clipping as you climb up the wall. The anchor is below you and it is terrifying at times. I’ve gotten over my fear of falling. But when I first started it was my biggest mental block. I had to trust myself and my climbing partners. Not only that, but I had to trust my skills and learn to let go of the fear that would have potentially stopped me from climbing.”

   To further develop her skills in climbing, Sarno is working on and expanding on more dynamic movements. She said, “I’m a very static climber, which means I’m more technical and more focused on my feet rather than muscle.” One of her most challenging climbs on site was a 5.13- and she has projected a 5.13+; these are near-expert level routes to climb.    

“The most memorable part of climbing was when I went to divisionals for bouldering. It was in Utah and it was the first time I got to bond with the whole team. The problems we faced were unforgettable, and the focus I needed was almost unbearable. It was the first time I realized my energy and passion comes from the competitions and the nerves that come along within that very moment. It was also when my climbing partner Iza and I became inseparable,” said Sarno.

Sport climbing has officially been approved for the 2020 Olympics and Sarno is currently training for the event with four years left. Looking into the future, she hopes to get closer to everyone on her team. She also hopes that one day she will be able to open up a gym of her own for the the competitive setting.