Huntsville teen qualifies for USA Youth Climbing Nationals

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Since the day Grayson Townsend could walk, he’s been climbing.

“I started really rock climbing when I was four,” said Grayson.

“When I was born, I would always kind of be there with my mom and dad because they would go outside and climb, take me with them. I’ll just play in the dirt as a normal baby. However, I started competing when I was ten,” Grayson added.

Now, he’s thirteen. Like most thirteen-year-olds, he has other hobbies, including soccer.

“People who just hear about climbing. I think that is all upper body or fingers, biceps, and abs. But you need to know how to use your feet. You need to have complete focus and control over your feet,” said Grayson, “You need to be precise of where you put it. You need to be able to jump and move your feet in ways like put them over your head to the side.”

Last year, he finished his youth climbing Divisional in last place. This year was a different story, finishing in first place.

“I just learned from my past self and I knew I’d just gotten better overall,” said Grayson.

He’s also learned plenty from his past self.

“It’s okay if you don’t do your best because you always have to make at least one mistake to be able to learn from it. It’s human to make mistakes,” said Grayson.

After a great performance on the wall at Regionals, he’s heading to Nationals.

Now, he’s spending nearly two hours in the gym multiple days a week to get his hands, feet, and body ready.

“I am climbing multiple days in a row, up to four or five days in a row because I’ve never been the strongest on day two of division cause. So my dad has been trying to get me to climb for multiple days in a row, ” said Grayson.

He is most excited for all the new climbers he will meet and compete against at Nationals.

“What I’m looking forward to most is just I’ve never been. There’s a ton of new people, just a whole new environment,” said Grayson.

Grayson and the Townsend family will make the trip to Salt Lake City Utah for Nationals later this month.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.