Climbers gearing up for Saturday’s season-opening competition in Richmond

Newcomers abound on this season's roster for the Liberty University men's and women's climbing teams, with all but a handful of its eight men and seven women being first-year team members. With most of these student-athletes being upperclassmen, Head Coach Tyler Campbell believes the Flames and Lady Flames could have the strongest lineup in the three seasons he has been at the helm.

"We have 15 athletes on the team who have been progressing," Campbell said, noting that only three are freshmen. "This year, our athletes are stronger than they've ever been starting the season … and they're already ready to start pushing to that next level of intensity. There's a lot to look forward to. I think we will be more competitive this year than we ever have been."

"Obviously, our goal is to make an impact for Christ and to spread the Gospel through the sport of rock climbing," he added. "I'm really excited to see how everybody performs when we get into competitions."

Competition will begin with Saturday's season-opening Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Qualifier in Richmond, Va. The Flames and Lady Flames return two of their top returning climbers from last season's USA Climbing National Championships, sophomores Alexander Dausch and Katelyn Kerns.

"We have a lot of new members on the team this year, with a lot of strong climbers with a lot of potential," Dausch said. "The team culture we're trying to cultivate is a culture where we're encouraging to each other and we're shining God's light on everybody. There are three veterans returning, so we're really trying to shape the team to be glorifying to God in everything we do."

"I'm so excited to be back with the team," Kerns added. "Getting to know everyone is so fun, especially talking with the girls and getting to know everyone is so impactful because we all want to grow together in the same sport, and we all want to grow together in Christ as well. We're trying to cultivate a team that is pointing toward Christ and just using our bodies to glorify God in everything we do."

Video edited by Cody Ware/Club Sports Video & Media Assistant

Climbers watching teammates at practice — Liberty climbers, including sophomore Alexander Dausch (right), watch teammates practice on the LaHaye Rock Wall.

Climbers gearing up for Saturday’s season-opening competition in Richmond

Players Mentioned

Alexander Dausch

Katelyn Kerns

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