When a handful of Watershed students set out to form a climbing club last year, they had no idea how quickly their idea would evolve into something much bigger. What began as a shared love of the sport—and a desire to bring the school community onto the wall—has grown into a full-fledged climbing team that’s already making a name for itself in the regional circuit.
This past weekend, the Watershed Climbing Team kicked off its first official competition of the season at The Spot Climbing Gym in Denver, marking an exciting milestone for the young program.
The girls’ squad competed together for the first time, with Sasha (‘26) finishing 22nd, Tesla (‘26) 20th, Ray (‘27) 18th, and Chloe (‘26) 16th—earning a 5th place team finish out of seven schools. (Not bad for a brand-new lineup!) Their performance set a strong tone for the season, showcasing determination, teamwork, and the spirit of possibility that has defined the program from day one.
The boys’ team followed with an impressive showing, winning the competition outright and establishing Watershed as a team to watch. Leo (‘26) took second place, missing the top spot by a single point. Fin (‘26) finished close behind in third, and Nadav (‘28) rounded out the top three with a strong fourth-place performance.
Several newer climbers also made their mark—Reid (‘29), Owen (‘28), and Brandon (‘28) climbed with great focus and grit, while Eli (‘27) and Desmond (‘29) demonstrated endurance and composure deep into the third hour of competition, clinching top-15 finishes thanks to their persistence in the final minutes.
Beyond the results, the team’s character stood out. Coaches from other schools noticed the energy and camaraderie that Watershed brought to the event, commenting on how many students had come out for the team and the supportive atmosphere they created for one another.
That spirit was embodied by Leo, who was highlighted by the regional director in her weekly recap for exceptional sportsmanship—helping newer climbers across all teams with beta and competition logistics while still performing at the highest level.
It’s that combination of passion, inclusivity, and excellence that’s making Watershed’s climbing program something special. Born from student initiative and built through shared effort, this team is already setting the bar high—for themselves and for what’s possible when students lead the way.
Follow the 25-26 Watershed Climbing Team’s journey! See below for their competition schedule!
WATERSHED CLIMBING TEAM COMPETITION SCHEDULE
November 15: G1 Climbing, Broomfield
December 6: The Longmont Climbing Collective
December 20: Movement Gym, RiNo
January 17: The Spot Climbing Gym, Thorton
February 7: Regional Championship
February 28: State Championship
