COMPETITION TEAM

THE COMP TEAM

The competition (comp) team is for intermediate-advanced climbers who are interested in competing in USA Climbing (USAC) Collegiate events. It is strongly encouraged that comp team members attend team practice every week. Additionally, there will be several comp team specific events that members are required to attend. This team is for those who aspire to compete at the Collegiate National Championships at the end of the year. Membership in USA Climbing is required, and all comp team members are required to attend at least one local qualifying event. For more information about the comp team, check out our comp team info sheet.


PRICE BREAKDOWN

Comp team members must pay $150 total in team dues. Members must also have an active USAC membership ($65/ year) to be eligible to compete. Each year, we give reimbursements back to comp team members to help cover membership costs as well as some competition travel and housing expenses. This money comes from our sponsors and team fundraising efforts, so the amount we can provide may vary annually. A further price breakdown of competition registration and USAC membership fees can be found here. Please note that this link currently points to the 2024–2025 Collegiate Competitor Guide, which was published last year. The 2025–2026 edition has not yet been released, but the existing guide can still be used as a general reference. If you are interested in joining the comp team but have financial concerns, please reach out to us, and we can discuss available options.



ADDITIONAL COACHING

Extra Training: During some of our weekly team practices, we hold skill clinics for comp team members only. We also hold exclusive “TC Days” at the USA Climbing National Team Training Center. This fall, our monthly TC Days are TBD for both time and location. Access to the facility is $20 per person, per session. TC Days offer a valuable chance to climb on competition-style boulders and sharpen your skills in a high-level training environment. In addition to these TC Days, we also hold one larger comp team training camp each semester.


MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS

Comp team members will have access to all of the benefits (gym discounts, merch, practices, events, etc.) that are available to those on the rec team. Additionally, comp team members will have access to special training events throughout the school year. Additionally, members will be provided with jerseys and gear for competitions. Comp team members who qualify for the National Championships are guaranteed housing for the competition at a team Airbnb. Also, as stated above, members will be eligible for competition travel/housing reimbursements throughout the season. In addition to all of these benefits, comp team members will also receive the bragging rights of being on the best collegiate climbing team in the country (Collegiate National Champions 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025).


COMPETITION EVENT SCHEDULE

While official dates for the 2025–2026 season have not yet been announced, the three main events or event series listed below are based on last year’s schedule and can be used as a general guideline for what to expect

  • QE (Qualifying Events)

    From October to March, USA Climbing will host a series of local qualifying events that anyone with a USAC membership may attend. Participation in one or more of these events is enough to qualify for the CNQE series, regardless of placement. Athletes may compete in a lead event or a bouldering event to qualify for both disciplines in the CNQE series. Collegiate Qualification Event (QE) Guide

  • CNQE (Collegiate Nationals Qualifying Event)

    On March 29-30, and April 5-6, USAC will host CNQE events nationwide, with at least one event per division, where the top eight advanced and top five intermediate athletes in each discipline (bouldering and lead/top rope) will qualify for the Collegiate National Championships in May. Competitors may attend any CNQE, but registration is limited to one event per athlete. We encourage all of you to attend the event that is the most convenient for you (this could be a good excuse to visit home), but we will only guarantee travel/housing funding to athletes who compete in the CNQE within our division (the Rocky Mountain Division). Placing in a qualifying spot at a CNQE secures eligibility for all disciplines, including speed, which has open registration for Nationals. Collegiate Nationals Qualification Event (CNQE) Guide

  • Collegiate National Championships

    At the end of each season in May, the very best collegiate climbers from across the country compete at the National Championships. This is the biggest (and most fun) event of the year. The top 5 highest-ranked athletes per category qualify for the Collegiate National Team. Biannually, national team athletes will have the opportunity to compete at the Collegiate World Championships. Collegiate Nationals Info 2025

HOW TO JOIN

Everyone interested in joining the comp team should first read through the comp team info sheet. The steps on how to join the team are outlined on the first page of that document. Take note of the competition season schedule outlined in that document.