Routesetter.com is pleased to announce the routesetting crew for this years ABS nationals being held Feb 15th – 17th 2008 at The Spot bouldering gym in Boulder, Colorado.

The Adult Chief Setter will be Kynan Waggoner, who at 32 years old, is at the top of his game coming off his success as a setter at the 2007 Youth World Championships in Ecuador. He’ll use that international experience and almost 10 US nationals to redeem the Adult side of ABS from last years epic, super-super finals.

The rest of his crew include:

Chief forerunner, Mike Moelter won’t be turning any wrench’s for this event but he will be offering up his expert advise and wisdom. The position of Chief forerunner is a somewhat new position on the ABS setting circuit but has become essential. Having an experienced clear headed, fresh and un-biased person running the problems will give the setters a unique viewpoint.

Jamie Emerson regularly cruises V12 and up and is undoubtedly the strongest American route setter. Waggoner says of Jamie, “He is one of the few people in the country that can effectively forerun for such a strong field of competitors.” This will be his sixth ABS national setting assignment.

Seth Lytton has turned the wrenches for the last two Teva Mountain Games. This will be his first ABS national event as a setter. As head setter for the Spot he’ll bring an intimate knowledge of the walls and competitors like D. Woods and Paul Robinson who regularly session there.

Matt Segal, a professional climber and former competitor always has a unique take on what makes an interesting boulder problem. This comes from ticking some of the countries hardest trad lines and his experience competing in World Cup events. This is his third time on a national setting crew.

Youth Setters

This years Youth event will be run by long time USAC setter and first time national Chief Setter Molly Beard. Molly, who has a foundation in the Yaniro school of setting has the uncanny ability to separate competitors in just one route.

She said the selection process was challenging and added, “I needed to be sure that whomever was selected had experience with super-strong yet tiny kids, and a clear understanding of the personal and team effort a National requires.”

She will be helped by Portland, Oregon colleague Mike Helt. Helt is USAC’s new Director of Setter Education and a freelance setter. He has set for ABS & SCS Youth national events and as Beard says, “Clearly understands what this event requires.”

Kyle McCabe (or “Hayseed” as he’s known in the setting world) will come to Boulder with three SCS national events in his bucket and countless comps as a top level youth competitor. “His setting experiences, and having been a top youth competitor in the past, make him an invaluable part of the team” says Beard.

Rounding out the crew will be Virginia based Sport Rock climbing gym Head Setter, Jeremy Hardin. This will be Hardins frist national assignment as an assistant since successfully completing his internship at last years SCS national. Of his intern experience Beard says, “It proved that this young up-and-coming routesetter had what it takes to be a part of a national setting team.”

National Internship

Youth Chief Setter Molly Beard is looking for two interns to fill out her setting crew. These positions are un-paid and interns will have to provide their own lodging, food and travel to and from Boulder, CO. But as Beard says, “There is no better way to get your foot in the door of professional setting than working this event.”

If you’re looking to set at a high-profile, national event then this internship is for you. Interns will be expected to perform all the duties of an assistant setter including stripping and setting a lot of problems from V1 – V10.

Beard encourages gyms to nominate and to financially support their route setters in return for a more experienced and qualified setter. She also says the ideal candidate will, “Have the ability to drop the ego the moment they enter they gym.”

Requirements

Other requirements include:

• Minimum 2 years routesetting experience.
• To be able to onsight V5.
• To have set at least 1 ABS or SCS regional or divisional in the last two years.
• Complete routesetting resume.
• Two professional references with contact information.
• Having attended a USAC routesetting clinic is a plus.
• 200 word (max) essay detailing:

All applications are due by 8pm PST Nov 31th, 2007. The selections will be announced on Dec 7th, 2007.

You can download the appropriate applications from the USAC website. For questions regarding this position please contact Molly at mbeard@mad.scientist.com
Good Luck!

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