04/24/2015
Well, it's about that time of year again- the end of another NC3 season. It's truly unbelievable for me to think that this will be the FIRST final NC3 competition that I haven't been to since I was first introduced to the series 6 years ago.
In 2009/2010, I was driving around the Pacific Northwest in a van (THE WINDSTAR!) attending every single NC3 competition that was hosted. I went with some of my closest friends who also shared a passion for climbing, and they put up with me blasting snoop dogg (gangsta love to be specific) for hundreds of miles.
I couldn't get enough of NC3, and it baffled me that we didn't have a team. I wanted more people to experience the extreme psych of training hard, the ridiculous energy on comp day, road trip bonding and community building. That first year changed my life, and I wanted every single person who loved climbing just as much as I did to be able to have those same opportunities.
Well, we did that- and then some. In Fall of 2010, I set out to replicate my experiences and get more people hooked. I founded an official climbing team sport club, set up a booth at a welcoming event at the rec center, and eagerly awaited with a sign up sheet. I ended up with quite a bit more than I bargained for.
Western has more NC3 championships than any other school, and we're STILL one of the youngest official teams in the series. Looking at the scores our team has accomplished this year, we're well on our way to having DOUBLE the amount of championships any other school has ever had- and all of them are consecutive. If we keep this up, it will take any other university in NC3 nearly HALF A DECADE to even TIE what we've already accomplished.
But at the end of the day, it's not the banners and the trophies that carry on. They're a monument to all our hard work- the unreal amount of sweat, blood, and tears that has gone into this team to found it from scratch and keep it running like a well oiled machine. They hang over the bouldering wall as evidence: proof that when no one else thought we could, we DID. And we continue to do so, and we don't plan on stopping any time soon.
The banners will always be there, but to be honest I can't even remember what they look like. You know what I do remember? Skipping out on classes early to get to Idaho in time for their crate stacking and dyno comp. Cramming like sardines into various team members houses or random hotels. After parties, inside jokes, meeting up with other teams for outdoor trips on spring break. That one time I was telling all of you guys about owls in Eastern Washington AND THEN ALMOST HIT A FREAKING OWL. Playing Clarks voicemail mixed over ratatats wildcat. Running out of rental vans and having to drive across the state in a huge truck and a dodge charger. Puppy pit stops.
Community. That's the important part of this- the friendships you build here will last a lifetime. I met some of my best friends through NC3, and I hope that all of you have as well! Western has the best collegiate climbing team in the U.S., and it's not just because of our accolades. It's because of the heart and soul that goes into the team, how much we care about each other, and how passionate we are about climbing. Heart and soul comes first- ability level comes second. We've always chosen team members that way, and it's proven to be more than an exceptional rubric for success.
This weekend is the first time I won't be at the sweet onion crank, but god dammit you better believe I'll be there in spirit. When you're pumped on a climb, or a foot slips, or you're not sure if you can stick the next hold- bring the psych that WWU is known for. Don't give up, don't ever let go, and keep trying HARD. Resiliency, determination, passion, and some fiery try hard will lead you to success. If I could, I'd be there screaming for you guys as loud as humanly possible. For those of you who don't know me, well, you'll have to take everyones word for it. I'm pretty freaking loud.
You're all part of a dynasty, and you're also the founding point of my career in the climbing industry. I now coach climbing teams full time, and I continue to travel around and compete. It's literally my dream job, and I wouldn't be here had it not been for all of you.
Every time I'm at the gym and someone comments on one of my team tanks and says "hey that's really cool, where's that from?" or "Is that guy climbing an onion?!" I get the biggest ear to ear grin on my face. Then I proceed to tell them just how awesome the PNW and NC3 is (whether they like it or not) and how they're totally missing out on bacon wrapped hot dogs this weekend.
Thank you guys for reading. I miss you tons- now rest up, and go kick some ass.
-Justin
