The Warren Youth Climbing League had its season opener March 17 The Goat Fort climbing gym.

The league has expanded this year to include two divisions: one for newer climbers, and one for the athletes with more competition experience. Each division has four teams sponsored by local businesses: Bent Run Brewery, Whirley Drinkworks, Allegheny Outfitters, Slick Text, Kinzua Vet Clinic, Constable & Sons Construction, Cable Excavating, and Stonehill Chocolates

Last week’s meet saw the Slick Text Hornets and Cable Excavating Bulldogs climbing in Division B, and the Bent Run Hellbenders and Constable & Sons Cougars in Division A.

The first match was very close. The lead switched back and forth several times, and it came right down to the last boulders. Brothers, Logan and Avery Woldt led the way for Slick Text, both averaging more than 25 points. Their teammates, Kinsley Dean, Gabriel Landin and Haidyn Simpson, all averaged more than 20 points as well, and the Hornets racked up a total of 140.8. However, Cable Excavating’s Finley LaVigne really turned it on, averaging 30 points. Her teammates, Bella Smith, Sebastian Cable, and Silas Hecei, all averaged more than 20 points, pushing the Bulldogs past the Hornets 144.1 to 140.8.

In the second match, sisters Nina and Elsie Woldt came out climbing strong and pushed Bent Run into an early lead. They averaged 37.7 and 32.7 respectively. Later in the competition, however, brother and sister Grant and Elodie Criswell crushed a couple of the harder boulders, elevating Constable & Sons Cougars past the Hellbenders 149.7-137.7. The Criswell duo’s 40.3 and 39.0 respectively were the highest scores of the night.

“This league is now in its third season,” said Dana Harrington, league administrator. ” I’m so thrilled to see these young athletes progress. Plus, these competitions bring out a boldness in these kids. It inspires me to see them pushing themselves past fear and doubt. In this competitive environment many of them are climbing harder and achieving more than they have before.”

Following are individual climber scores: Slick Text: Logan Woldt (29.3), Avery Woldt (27.4), Kinsley Dean (22.0), Gabriel Landin (21.0), Haidyn Simpson (20.7), Logan Philhower (11.0), Freya Heath (9.3)

Cable Excavating: Finley LaVigne (30.0), Bella Smith (26.7), Sebastian Cable (24.7), Silas Hecei (22.7), Emery Heacox (18.0), Caleb Hellman (11.0), Grace Peterson (11.0)

Bent Run: Nina Woldt (37.7), Elsie Woldt (32.7), Olivia Bailey (29.3), Razzlin Pratz (22.0), Annika Landin (16.0)

Constable & Sons: Grant Criswell (40.3), Elodie Criswell (39.0), Zain Woodburn (26.7), Evan Wellner (23.7), Autumn Waite (20.0)

The next meet is today and will feature the Allegheny Outfitters Sasquatches vs. Stonehill Chocolates Cocoa Bombs, and the Kinzua Vet Clinic Bulls vs. the Whirley Tornadoes.