Athol teen wins climbing competition

POST FALLS — Delaney Adlard of Athol has been climbing 11 years, and competing for the last five.

“I’m trying to get good,” the 14-year-old said.

She’s there.

Adlard won the women’s open division of FlailFest recently held at Coeur Climbing Company in Post Falls. She was all smiles afterward as she chatted with friends and posed for pictures. 

“I liked it a lot,” she said.

Her mom, Lisa Adlard, was proud.

“Today was just her day,” she said.

Ethan Anderson, 18, won the men’s open division. A climber with nine years experience, including on the national circuit and in Canada, Anderson was relaxed going into the regional bouldering competition that’s part of the Idaho Championship Series.

“I came in here to have fun,” said the  5-10, 150-pound Spokane man, who hopes to compete on American Ninja Warriors. 

But it wasn’t easy.

“The routes were definitely tough,” he said. “There were some good people  here.”

The two advanced through the qualifying round to reach the final round with the top-scoring male and female climbers.

They had to navigate their way through challenging routes that called for strength, agility and endurance.

The final round featured three new routes, with winners determined by route completion or progress.

The top five male and female open competitors received awards.

Adlard made her way through the final course quickly. She needed little time to determine the best route, began climbing and completed a difficult move and reach a small hand hold that was key to her win.

The daughter of Dave and Lisa Adlard is passionate about climbing and hopes to compete at a national level.

Lisa Adlard said it was nice to see her daughter win at Coeur Climbing Company, where she practices. She puts in the work and isn't afraid to reach for new heights.

“She’s a naturally gifted climber,” Lisa Adlard said.