Olivia Little

I am currently 18 years old, and this fall, I will be begin my undergrad studies at the University of Virginia. My older brother got me hooked on climbing back when I was in 8th grade. I decided to give it a try too! I have now climbed for five years, having climbed on the BCT ever since I began.

Where are you now and what are you doing?

I am currently finishing up high school, working towards my International Baccalaureate diploma. While taking a short break from climbing to nurse a tendon injury, I have been playing on my high school’s co-ed soccer team.

What’s your 5 year dream?

In five years, I hope to be climbing while working towards a master’s degree in grad school. I plan to pursue psychology or neurobiology.

What do you like best? Indoor or outdoor climbing?

Indoor!

Trad, bouldering, or sport?

Sport

What’s your most memorable ascent?

My most memorable ascent is definitely “Atomic.” It was an indoor route set on the overhanging lead wall at Urban Ascent. It was my first official, long-standing project. I had been working at the route for months, and about a week before it was going to be taken down, I finally sent it! It became the hardest route I had ever climbed, and I still recognize many of Atomic’s holds whenever I see them being used around the gym.

Where is your favorite place to climb?

My favorite place to climb is Maple Canyon in southern Utah. I absolutely love the type of rock: the smooth stones, ranging in size from a pebble to a boulder, embedded into a coarse, rough rock. Although I’ve only been twice, some of my favorite outdoor climbing memories took place there, and I cannot wait to go back.

What was your favorite competition moment?

My favorite comp moment occurred during the 2014 Urban Legends competition. It was one of my first comps, and I was competing in the intermediate category against female climbers both my age and much older than me. When the awards were announced, I learned that I hadn’t placed. However, about 5 or 10 minutes later, it was announced over the microphone that there had been a mistake in calculating the climbers’ scores; I had gotten second place!! Everyone was congratulating and high-fiving me as I ran across the gym to get my trophy, and I had a huge smile plastered on my face.

What was the hardest moment for you as an athlete?

he hardest moment I have endured as an athlete was injuring a tendon in my finger in the fall of 2016. It still hasn’t completely healed, and I have not yet been able to climb again at the same magnitude at which I was climbing before my injury. It’s been very challenging to maintain my motivation while not being able to climb, but I hope to begin climbing hard again soon and get my strength back.

Anything else you want the world to know?

I’m so beyond thankful to Brannon, Taylor, and to all of the other coaches I have had over these past five years for teaching me everything they have about climbing. I am also so unbelievably grateful to all of my teammates for being constantly supportive of me and becoming some of my best friends. I will miss you all so much when I leave for college in the fall. <3