Liberty rock climbers reaching for new heights in spring semester

Saturday, November 9

Richmond, VA

3:00 PM

Liberty University Club Sports

Mid-Atlantic Division Collegiate Qualification

Liberty junior Nathan Bruckner stretches out to reach his next hold at the Nov. 24 bouldering competition in Alexandria, Va.

Liberty rock climbers reaching for new heights in spring semester

2/7/2025 5:23:00 PM | Rock Climbing

The Flames and Lady Flames combined for 11 top-five finishes to climb onto the podium as a team in the two fall competitions.

Women's rock climber at Alexandria — Liberty junior Aubrey Wright placed third in Women's Intermediate bouldering in Richmond and fourth at a competition in Alexandria, Va.

The fall semester was a season of growth and progression for Liberty University's rock climbing team, which experienced success at its first two competitions at Peak Experiences in Richmond, Va., on Nov. 9 and Sportrock in Alexandria, Va., on Nov. 24.

In Richmond, five members placed in the top four in their respective events. Freshman Asher Talbot placed third in Men's Advanced bouldering while junior Judah Skipper placed first and senior Caleb Proenza second in Men's Intermediate bouldering. For Women's Intermediate bouldering, Lady Flames juniors Sierra Landel and Aubrey Wright finished first and third, respectively, and senior Delilah Hughes landed in fourth place.

Two weeks later in Alexandria, the team had another impressive showing while competing in the Mid-Atlantic Boulder Qualifying Event. In the Men's Advanced division, graduate Brian Taylor placed third and in the Men's Intermediate division, Proenza placed fourth. Lady Flames freshman Jasmine Lui came in fourth in the Women's Advanced division while the Women's Intermediate competition featured two Liberty climbers in the top four with Landel landing in second and Wright finishing fourth.

Liberty's roster is loaded with newcomers who have been welcomed by the team's five returning climbers. They are collectively trained by Head Coach Tyler Campbell out of the LaHaye Recreation & Fitness Center's rock climbing facility.

The team's two main captains are sophomore Katelyn Kerns for the women and sophomore Alexander Dausch for the men. Both also serve as the team's spiritual leaders.

Among the new members of the team, Talbot has impressed Campbell the most.

"He's just been one of those people who has really put his head down and responded well to everything that that I and my assistant coach are asking of him," Campbell said. "As a result, he's shown a lot of growth already and I would favor him to qualify for nationals down the road."

The Flames and Lady Flames will next compete as a team at Rise Up Climbing in Downtown Lynchburg, Va., on March 2 before a select few climbers will advance to the Collegiate National Qualifying event on April 5-6.

By Amory Doyle/Student Writer