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McColl and Sethna Win at Nationals

Sean McColl and Elise Sethna beat a talented field of athletes to finish first place at the 2014 Canadian Bouldering Championships at Coyote Rock in Ottawa.

Report and photos by Aidas Odonelis

Neither McColl or Sethna went into the finals in top spot, for the results of the semi-finals see here.

Moving forward into finals on Sunday evening, the gym was packed with an energized crowd of spectators. There was palpable uncertainty in the air about what would happen in the next hours. 

In the woman’s category, after a very difficult semi-finals round with very few tops, finals was anyone’s game. Kerry Briggs gave her best effort and was looking very strong on another set of brutally difficult problems, but Elise Sethna managed to edge out Briggs by topping one additional problem securing her first place victory. Third place was taken by Celeste Wall followed by Jelisa Dunbar, Thomasina Pidgeon and Marieta Akalski. However after a very impressive season the overall championship title did end up in Brigg’s hands.

In the men’s field, the obvious favourite was Sean McColl. While McColl entered finals in third place everyone knew he had the chops to take the win. It would not be as easy as people might have thought. Americans Dylan Barks and Josh Larson climbed very well in semi-finals and everyone knew that either one of them could take the title. In the end the Canadians came through securing first and second on home soil. McColl took the win followed by Jason Holowach in second and Josh Larson in third. Sebastien Lazure took fourth place followed by Dylan Barks, and Yves Gravelle. Hollowach’s strong season ended up earning him the overall championship title.

For full results see here.

Yves Gravelle
Yves Gravelle
Jason Holowach
Jason Holowach
Jelisa Dunbar
Jelisa Dunbar
Sean McColl
Sean McColl
Jason Holowach
Jason Holowach
Sean McColl
Sean McColl
Thomasina Pidgeon
Thomasina Pidgeon
Celeste Well
Celeste Well
Celeste Well
Celeste Well
Sean McColl
Sean McColl
Elise Sethna
Elise Sethna
Yves Gravelle
Yves Gravelle
Jelisa Dunbar
Jelisa Dunbar
Sean McColl getting a round of applause
Sean McColl getting a round of applause
The winners
The competitors
Award ceremony
Award ceremony
Award ceremony
Award ceremony
Final shot of finals competitors after award ceremony
Final shot of finals competitors after award ceremony

 

 

 

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