Awesome! That’s the only word that can describe the experience that Faith S, a Foxcroft School junior, had over Thanksgiving break. Faith, a 16-year-old rock climber, competed in the first-ever Pan American Youth Sport Climbing Championships, in Ibarra, Ecuador, and came home with a bronze medal! Not only that, but none other than the President of Ecuador, Raffael Correa, placed the medal around her neck – even though Faith beat his daughter!
The week-long Championships, for youth ages 10 to 19 years old, were the first to include climbers from North America and Central and South America. The altitude of mountainous Ibarra was a challenge for some of the U.S. climbers, who did not have much time to acclimate themselves. Still they collected half of the medals.
Faith earned third place in bouldering, a style of rock climbing undertaken without a rope and usually limited to short climbs over a “crash pad” (a.k.a. bouldering mat) so that falls do not cause serious injury. Faith placed fifth overall and also improved her international speed climbing standings. “It was an exciting week,” says Robin S, Faith’s mother. “It was the first Pan American Championships so all the competitors were truly ambassadors -- Faith included! Her Spanish skills were put to good use every day as she helped translate for team members of different countries.”
Earlier this fall, Faith competed in the World Youth Sport Climbing Championships, in Edinburgh, Scotland, placing 10th among 33 climbers in the Female Youth A Speed Competition. Faith’s ability to pursue her passion is aided by Foxcroft’s Exceptional Proficiency Program which permits students in good academic standing to miss classes and other activities to participate in a special activity, ranging from horseback riding and figure skating to ballet and observed motorcycle trials. For more information, contact Director of Communications Cathrine Wolf (540.687.4511) or the Admission Office (540.687.4341)