In the highly competitive sport of rock climbing, a group of young people in Ballard has begun to stand out among northwest teams.

The Stone Gardens Junior Climbing Team's 12 members practice twice a week for three hours under the watchful eye of coach Jeremy Bowler. Ranging in age from 11- to 19-years-old, half of the team is made up of Ballard residents.

"We work on special techniques for strength and fitness. Our overall goal is to go to climbing competitions in the Northwest, regionally and nationally," said Bowler.

Half of the team is new to the sport. Others have three to four years of experience.

Eleven-year-old Samantha is a student at North Beach Elementary.

"I like the excitement of doing hard climbs, staying on the wall when you are tired and to keep going," she said.

Her first climb was at the REI Store in downtown Seattle. Then a friend held a birthday party at Stone Gardens. "I liked the sport right away. I would like to be a professional climber," said Samantha. She has played soccer, tennis, water polo, skiing, snow boarding and swims.

Bowler said Samantha has great confidence in her holds. Having small hands to grab is an advantage, along with a good strength to weight ratio. "She has a very excited attitude to climb everyday," said Bowler.

Garfield High School student Jesse Warren, 15, has been climbing for six years. He likes working out problems like deciding what holds to grab and where to place his feet.

"I stay in good shape and work hard at it consistently. You get tired, your core abdominal muscles get tired. It's more fun than other sports, you can work out problem routes," said Warren.

Bowler has his climbers working on low-level bouldering routes to start practice. On the second pass on the route, he puts white tape on certain holds and climbers must find alternative places to grab.

"It teaches them to be more resourceful," said Bowler.

Climbing is also a mental exercise for Matthew Sorensen, an eighth grader at Whitman Middle School.

"Its meditative and calming. It's a good stress reliever," said Sorensen.