​Maddi Haferling seems to have been born with an unusual affinity for heights. A Woodbridge High School senior, she discovered her love of climbing long before most kids even think about sports. At age four, she was already climbing a door at home in a bid to reach a pull-up bar, and by the time she reached ten, she had enrolled in a climbing academy. Her dedication only deepened with time, and by seventeen she had secured a gold medal in speed climbing at the USU19 National Championship held in Salt Lake City just last week.
This Thursday, Haferling will depart for Arco, Italy, where she will compete in the Youth World Championships. “It’s pretty cool,” she shared, sounding both modest and excited about the opportunity to represent herself on an international stage. Standing at five feet tall, her primary challenge in a typical competition is conquering a standardized 15-meter wall. She must complete the climb in the fastest possible time while another climber tackles an identical course, all while being secured to a safety rope in case she slips.
Haferling believes her strength gives her an edge. “Being a climber, I have a lot of strength that others don’t have,” she said, highlighting a remarkable level of upper body power. She casually notes a personal benchmark that often impresses onlookers: “I can do 25 pull-ups that can impress you.” When asked how she might fare in a hypothetical pull-up contest against a Woodbridge football player, she laughed and predicted the outcome would favor her. “I think they know they’d lose,” she quipped with confidence.
Her weekly routine is as disciplined as any seasoned athlete’s. She trains five days a week, three hours per day at a Santa Ana climbing facility, where she alternates between lifting weights and practicing speed climbing techniques with teammates. The intensity of her regimen underscores a commitment that goes beyond a single competition or a solitary pursuit of fitness. For Haferling, climbing is both sport and study, a field in which she can continuously push her own boundaries.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to push myself in a sport and to commit to something,” she said. “Being on a team is amazing.” The team environment provides not only accountability but also encouragement as she advances toward higher levels of competition. Her journey from a toddler who climbed doors to a national champion and international contender illustrates a remarkable blend of natural aptitude, rigorous training, and unwavering determination.
As she readies for the Youth World Championships, Haferling remains focused on her goals: to execute flawless climbs, to learn from every round, and to carry the pride of her community with her to Italy. Her story is a testament to how early curiosity, persistent practice, and a supportive team can transform a childhood habit into a promising athletic career.
This feature originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times and has been revised to highlight Maddi Haferling’s climb toward national and international prominence in the sport of speed climbing. For ongoing updates on SoCal high school sports, stay tuned to the LA Times high school sports coverage.