Team ABC is proud to welcome Michael O’Rourke to the team. Michael has been climbing since 2002 when he tried it out at his local health club in his hometown of Chicago, Illinois. He quickly became hooked and went climbing as much as he could. A year later the gym – Hidden Peak – started a youth team and he eagerly joined. He began climbing more and more and soon traveled to other gyms to attend competitions. After nearly a decade of climbing, Michael moved to Boulder in the summer of 2011 to further his training.
Michael quickly made his presence known in the Boulder scene when he won the Men’s Open category at The Spot Bouldering Series Gun Show Competition in September. Though they are technically local comps, Spot series comps have long been a proving ground for the nation’s up-and-coming talent and past competitors and winners include Daniel Woods, Paul Robinson, Matty Hong, Jon Cardwell, Rob D’Anastasio, Ian Dory, Ben Spannuth, Alex “socks” Johnson, Alex Puccio, Alex Johnson, and Lizzy Asher.
Coach Robyn quickly noticed Michael’s talent for and dedication to climbing, so in the Fall of 2011 she invited him to help coach her youth development program ABC for Kids.
Michael went on to have a successful competition season, making open finals at all 4 comps of the Spot Bouldering Series, taking 3rd at the 2011 Yank n’ Yard Pro Open, taking 14th in Men’s Open at the ABS 13 National Championships, and becoming the 2012 Male Junior ABS National Champion.
He also improved outside, climbing his first V12 with Authentic Battle Damage in Boulder Canyon and following it with a couple more 12s and his first V13, Free Range, also in Boulder Canyon. A video of that ascent can be seen on his new Team ABC Athlete Profile Page.
Michael’s passion for climbing and hard work ethic make him a valuable member of the ABC family, and since he has this year’s SCS Season as well as next year’s ABS and SBS Seasons before he ages out of Juniors, Robyn invited him to begin training with Team ABC Boulder as well as continue coaching ABC for Kids.
His first practice was last week, and everyone on Team ABC Boulder is psyched to welcome Michael to the team!
Check out his Team profile – Michael O’Rourke « Team ABC Boulder