My final nationals
I would not
call the lead up to this year’s Nationals pretty or easy going. With two knee
surgeries, college, and continuing tendon problems, it was tough to stay
motivated and in shape. Actually a few months ago, I was debating giving up
rope climbing due to injuries and just the increasing responsibility of growing
up. That quickly changed when competitions started again. Divisionals surely reminded
me how much enjoyment came out of competitions. Even though competing is not
always the most respected thing in the climbing community, it is what I grew up
on in flat Texas. It gets my blood boiling and it really is a great motivator to
my climbing career. After 10 years of competing, I was ready to fight for a
championship in my final youth nationals. With limited training before the
summer, I decided to go to Atlanta to train at the Stone Summit gym for a week.
It was a successful trip filled with laughs, adventures, and tons of climbing.
You can read all about it and see pictures on our trip blog at
dirtysouthclimbers.blogspot.com. I then spent some time with my amazing
physical therapist (my Aunt), which really helped my tendons. After the
training and therapy, I felt about as ready as I could be.
|
Addison, Tiffany, Elizabeth, Dalan, and Me |
|
Dalan found an outfit for me... |
I not only had a spectacular time climbing at nationals, but
also spent a lot of time with my extended family. We all went to a big firework
show, where I was lucky enough to take my younger cousins around to the bounce
houses and other activities they had. I
even got to play golf with my father and my grandfather after my climbs on
Thursday and Friday. It was nice to have a more relaxed trip, rather than sitting
in the gym all day. The first two days of climbing were pretty easy and quick.
I got in, warmed up, flashed the route, then went and played golf. On Saturday,
we actually had to go into isolation early in the morning and wait to go
through a running order. I realized how old I was while sitting in the chair
about to go out and climb. Surrounded by kids at least 5 years younger than me,
I ended up talking to a 10 year old girl named Stella. I told her it was about
10 years ago when I sat in that chair for the first time. She was a very sweet
girl that listened to me reminisce about the olden days of USA Climbing. I
wished her good luck and headed out to my climb. I felt strong and in control
on the climb, but towards the top my right hand slipped off a hold as I was
moving. I was frustrated, but that stuff
happens in climbing and I could not be too mad at myself. I was just lucky
enough to get into finals. I thought now there would be a slim chance of
winning, since I did do poorly in semis, but I kept myself still excited for
finals.
|
My Family |
|
My cousin Presley and I |
Final’s was a very interesting day. It started with my final
walk into a nationals isolation, which I will not miss. Then spent the next
hour warming up for an extensive 80 foot route. I did not exactly feel great in
isolation. I really was not used to climbing for 4 days, let alone in a
competition. Despite my doubts of feeling well or my chances on winning, I went
to the wall with determination. I get in a zone that I truly cannot explain. I
tend to climb a lot better, instead of cracking under the immense pressure. I
put it all out there and I climbed very well. All 9 minutes of the climb was
spent fighting for the top. Pretty satisfied with my climb, I went and greeted
my family and friends. I am extremely grateful to have so many supporters. As
the competition went on, climbers kept falling below my high point. It was one
of the hardest things to watch your friends climb and want them to fall below
you. That is an awkward feeling. The
last climber came up and my heart really started to race. Alex Fritz had looked the best so far and we
have competed neck and next over the past few years. He fell a few holds below
me, and I went into a state of disbelief. After all these years, I had finally
won US Nationals. I gave my Dad a huge hug as I thanked him. With all of the
adrenaline, I even had enough strength to pick him up. The hugs and congrats
kept coming from everyone and I don’t think I stopped smiling the rest of the
day. When the awards rolled around, I
could not believe I had won and it was my final Nationals. Standing on top of
the podium felt a lot better than all those years on the sides of first. I received
my medal from my good friend and supporter, Bruce Mitchell. After that, I was
honored by USA Climbing as one of the few climbers to compete in all of the
categories. I really could not have thought of a better way finish with USA
Climbing. Even though it was a great Nationals, it was hard to say goodbye.
This has been my life for the past 10 years. I could not imagine a better way
to spend my childhood. I might have shed a tear or a few on my final day in
Atlanta. I guess that means it meant something to me.
|
Finals route |
|
The top Southern Rock Finishers. Grace, Delaney, Shane, and I
|
This is just a few of the people that have supported,
inspired, and loved me through this process. I truly am grateful for them, and
could not have done it without them.
My Parents: Brad and Shelley Graham
They have invested more time and money than ever imaginable.
I am really in debt to you guys. I will always remember hugging you, Dad, after
this years win.
My Brothers: Garrett and Jack
We have traveled as a family to most of my big competitions
and I love my brothers for their continuous support. My brother Garrett steals
my old USA team jackets and wears them around thinking he’s pretty cool.
Coaches:
Kim Puccio
Matt Dendy
Shannon and Laura Smith
Vince Grimes
Josh Haynes
Families and friends that have been there for me:
The Hadley’s
The Mitchell’s
The Sutton’s
The Butcher’s
The McKeehan’s
The Romero’s
The Milburn’s
The Bernal’s
The Horne’s
The Linder’s
The Robertson’s
The Luttrell’s
The Yate’s
Roy Mahan
Nancy and Todd Markum
Amy and Robert Reid
Jennifer and Bryan Beeson
Debbie Gardner
Mr. Kim (Andrew’s Dad who always seems to belay me at
Nationals)
Stuart and Darsi Graham
Randy and Lori Mahan
The USA Climbing family
Sponsors:
PrAna
Petzl
My Parents
Thank you for all the support and love.
Love,
Owen
These next few pictures are just a few from my USA Climbing career
|
San Francisco National's with the Butcher's |
|
First Competition |
|
Ecuador |
|
Ecuador with the Sutton's |
|
Hueco Tanks |
|
First National's |
|
Ceuse with the US Team |
|
France with Kate Carr |
|
Wearing PrAna and Petzl always |
|
10 years old |
|
Ecuador |
|
Australia |
|
France |
|
France |
|
Salt Lake City National's |
|
Nathan Hadley and I |
|
Checking out the route in France |
|
First World's |
|
Texas kids in Australia |
|
USA |
|
Team Southern Rock |