First annual rock climbing competition to be held this Saturday

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Noelle Huffaker JTAC News

The entryway of the Rec Center.

Angel Jauregui, Contributor

Texan Top Out or TTO will take place on Saturday, October 7, TTO at the Rec Center climbing wall from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

TTO will be annual rock climbing competition sponsored by various local businesses. It originally started several years ago but the program lacked resources to make it an annual event. Rachel McDonald, Graduate Assistant for Outdoor Pursuits, said, “I honestly don’t know who or how it began, but we are grateful to them for the idea!”

Even though it started out years ago, McDonald said, “We have tentatively dubbed this year’s competition as the ‘first annual’ because it will be the first year of a continuing tradition.”

Any student interested in taking part in the completion is welcomed to do so. “Texan Top Out is open to anyone, regardless of rock climbing experience! We have beginners and advanced climbers alike,” McDonald said.

The competition will be a free-for-all, meaning there will be no divisions based on gender or experience.

“Rock climbing at this level of competition is generally fair, regardless of gender,” McDonald continued.

The competition will be run on a point system within a certain time frame. Certain routes will be available for climbers; if they complete the route on their first attempt without falling, they will be awarded bonus points. Further information will be given out on the day of the event and will be explained in more detail.

The price for registration is $15, but if you did not register before Sept. 20, you may or may not receive a t-shirt, goody bag and lunch, depending on the availability.

However, McDonald assures that as of right now, participants will still receive a t-shirt if they register.

To register, contact McDonald at sw_ [email protected].