Competing in the Youth National Championships, winning the Young Gun Award for climbing and climbing in two World championships, Charlie Andrews-Jubelt’s ’13 life these past few months was dominated by rock climbing.
From July 5 through July 8, Andrews-Jubelt competed in the U-17 nationals, placing 10th in sport climbing.
Sport climbers complete long, difficult routes and the winner is determined by whoever climbs the highest. He also won fifth in the speed discipline.
“Charlie’s edge has always been his desire to learn and get better, his attention to detail, his motivation and his discipline,” Andrews-Jubelt’s former private coach Taylor Reed said. “If I asked him to do five push-ups, he’d do 20. And if I asked him to improve some part to his form, which was rare, he’d perfect it until the lights went out.”
At youth nationals, Andrews-Jubelt joined the ranks of some of the most talented young climbers of the decade, winning the most prestigious award any youth climber can win, The North Face Young Gun Award.
This award is given only twice each year, once in the summer and once in the winter, for leadership in the climbing community, commitment to the sport, long-term competitive achievement and dedication to service.
“Charlie is a ‘Young Gun’ in the truest sense of the award’s definition,” USA teammate Alex Fritz said. “He is an incredibly hard worker in climbing, school and all aspects of life.”
Placing in the top five at Nationals allowed him to qualify for the Youth World Championships in Singapore, where he placed 18th in the speed climbing event for the Male Juniors category.
“Our collective focus on speed training was unprecedented for American athletes, and even though we didn’t win any medals, I think our group was a historic one,” Andrews-Jubelt said.
On Sept. 14, Andrews-Jubelt competed in his first Adult World Championship.
Andrews-Jubelt had competed in four youth World Championships before.
In the adult category, Andrews-Jubelt competed against professional speed climbers in front of hundreds of spectators. He placed 38th, coming within 0.2 of his personal best time.
“It’s dizzying to consider how far I’ve come over the last nine years, from starting as a little kid too young to qualify for Worlds, looking up to the giants who made Young Gun and US Team, to finally living that reality,” he said. “I’m blessed to have parents, sponsors, and friends that have given me the constant support I needed to make that happen.”
