Before the sun even thinks about rising, the walls at Duncan Polytechnical High School are already alive with movement. Students from grades 9 through 12 are there, scaling, reaching, and conquering as part of the school's dedicated rock climbing team, building far more than just upper-body strength.

For senior Daniel Orozco, one of twenty team members, stepping into the climbing gym for the first time this year was a leap of faith. "I was nervous because, like, what if I'm not strong enough? Or what if I embarrass myself in front of other people?" he recalls. But with a friend's encouragement, he tried out and was immediately hooked. "On the first day they were having tryouts, I was like, 'Oh, wait, this is pretty fun,'" Orozco said, highlighting how quickly the sport can grab hold of you.

He quickly learned that climbing is a perfect blend of brute force and brilliant strategy. Pointing to a route, he explains the grading system: "As you can see, that green climb is a V-Zero. As the numbers go up, it gets progressively harder." It's a constant puzzle for both the body and the mind.

Leading this vertical charge is physics teacher Chris Navarro, now in his third year as coach. For him, the program's value extends far beyond the gym walls. "Seeing these kids go from maybe not even being super interested in school, or being a little detached, and then coming here, finding something to be passionate about, something to connect them to the school," Navarro said, is the real victory.

That connection is clearly paying off in competition. Despite being a relatively young program, the team's trajectory is impressive: they placed second in their league in 2024 and clinched first place the year before. This season, with a younger roster after several seniors graduated, the goal is to maintain that competitive edge. "I just want to maintain that spot and just keep that progress going," Navarro stated, emphasizing the importance of a "continuous flow of new kids and learning new things."

Complementing the competitive team is a climbing club open to all Duncan Polytechnical students, ensuring everyone has a chance to experience the sport's unique challenges and rewards.

For Daniel Orozco, the impact is profound. Climbing has built his confidence and given him a powerful sense of camaraderie, transforming nerves into a drive to support his teammates. It's a testament to how the right challenge—and the right gear—can help anyone reach new heights.