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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend February 2, 2007 Click image for larger view Chance Conner, 15, practices his climbing technique at Medford�s Rogue Rock Gym in preparation for a try at a national title in February in Maryland. (Mail Tribune / Denise Baratta) A step above the competition Ashland High's Chance Conner, 15, climbs his way into his age group's national championships for 'bouldering' — ropeless ascents along set routes By DON HUNT Mail Tribune Skilled rock climbers know how to step it up. Chance Conner takes the sport a step farther. Many steps, actually. The Ashland High School freshman won the American Bouldering Series at the Pacific Northwest Regionals in Portland on Jan. 13. The victory, in the 14-15 age group, earned Conner a No. 3 national ranking and a berth in the ABS National Championships set for Feb. 17-18 near Baltimore, Md. Bouldering involves climbing rock walls up pre-determined routes without ropes. Rope climbing is a similiar, but separate activity that entails higher, more perilous climbs. Conner does that, too. Advertisement "Chance is an amazing climber," says Matt Lambert, the owner of the Rogue Rock Gym in Medford and an accomplished rock climber himself. "He's very fit and athletic by nature, and has a really high strength-to-weight ratio. "But what really sets him apart from the other kids is that he just thrives on the competition. When the pressure's on, Chance excels." Conner, 15, took up the sport at the suggestion of a neighbor three years ago. He also skateboards at local skate parks and snowboards on Mount Ashland and elsewhere, but rock climbing has become his favorite pursuit. "It's just a lot of fun and great exercise," says Conner, an honors student who also rock climbs outdoors at Emigrant Lake, the Greensprings and a place called Rattle Snake near Shady Cove. The bouldering competitions require not only agility and strength but also an awareness of the route a climber takes up the wall. Each route is marked with colored tape and further distinguished by difficulty. The higher the difficulty, the more points a climber can score, providing he or she completes the climb. Speed is not a factor. At the regional meet, Conner conquered four advanced routes and one open — or most difficult — climb. The judges score the top five climbs; participants can scale the wall as often as time allows. "It takes a lot of concentration and focus," Lambert says. "It's like solving a mental puzzle. "Not only do you have to hang on the whole time, but you've got to figure out the patterns of movement and which body movement you need to make. In other words, which hand and foot go where as you're climbing. "There's a lot of strategy and I've seen Chance do some amazing things." Adds Conner: "You have to have a plan on where you're going. If you have trouble finding your route, it's wasted energy." For safety reasons, the climbers in bouldering don't ascend more than 14 feet above the floor. Thick floor padding and spotters stationed under the climbers cushion any fall. The slender, shaggy-haired Conner hopes to participate in more rope climbing in the future. Those climbs are much higher — up to 60 feet — and more technical because of the ropes. The ropes prevent the climbers from crashing to the floor. "The rope climbs take more time and endurance because you're climbing higher,"Conner says, "and the higher you go, you're tying more sections of rope. They take more effort, but they're still fun." As for the national meet, Conner's goal is simply to do his best. That should mean a lofty finish for the Ashland teenager. Reach reporter Don Hunt at 776-4469, or e-mail [email protected] Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Entertainment Guide Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Men's Clothing Debt Help