Jessica Brooks, Savannah Nguyen
“The biggest thing that stands out about Center 45 Climbing & Fitness is the community,” Sarene Cullen, a competitive youth climbing trainer at the gym, said. “It’s rare to find a gym with a sense of community like this that ranges from newbies to legends.”
One rising legend who is a regular at the gym is Elijah Kiser, a gold medal winner at the USA Climbing Bouldering National Tournament on Feb. 10 in Redmond, Ore.
Kiser, an 18-year-old with six siblings from Valle Crucis, is relatively new to climbing and bouldering. As a child, Kiser began showing an interest in climbing when he would climb trees. However, he mostly played ultimate frisbee and occasionally soccer while growing up.
“I was homeschooled with four or five other families and we all had hippie parents, so they got us into playing ultimate frisbee,” Kiser said. “There would be anywhere from 20 to 50 people playing at a time. We still play every Sunday.”
Kiser said since he was homeschooled, there was never an opportunity to participate in any organized sports teams. “I don’t really like team sports because you have to deal with expectations and depend on other people,” Kiser said.
Aside from climbing trees, Kiser said he started climbing three Februarys ago.
“Elijah had never climbed in a gym setting before he started coming here,” Cullen said. “He came in with his brothers and we saw that he has an incredible ability to learn quickly.”
Kiser said he became interested in climbing after attempting to climb a rock wall. “My first wall was at Footsloggers here in Boone,” Kiser said. “It was really challenging and it made me want to get better.”
Aidan Kiser, one of Elijah Kiser’s six siblings, said they all are “so psyched” and proud of their brother for winning nationals. “We all climb and it’s just great to see him come this far,” Aidan Kiser said. “He picked up climbing so fast.”
Speaking of his brother’s win at the national competition, Aidan Kiser said, “it was awesome. He’s super humble about it.”
Cullen also commented on Elijah Kiser’s character. “Elijah is incredibly humble. He’s not intimidating at all.”
Elijah Kiser said that a good trait to have while being a climber is humility. “You need to go into a problem with a certain amount of confidence with every move you make, but not be upset when you fail,” Elijah Kiser said. “You can’t be egotistical. I enjoy climbing more than winning.”
As a member of the family, Aidan Kiser said, “Elijah is very loving. He’s a great brother. Physically, I don’t look up to him because I’m taller,” Aidan Kiser said with a laugh. “But we all look up to him. We’re so proud of him.”
Something that isn’t as well known about Elijah Kiser is that “he’s writing a novel. He likes to write stories and songs and he plays guitar, too.”
Elijah Kiser will have a little more time to focus on these activities as he recovers from an injury to his index finger on his left hand which he sustained in February and prepares for the World Bouldering Tournament this August in Arco, Italy.
Sources
- Sarene Cullen, a competitive youth climbing trainer, interview at Hatchet Coffee on April 8
- Elijah Kiser interview at Center 45 on April 10
- Aidan Kiser, brother, interview at Center 45 on April 10
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