Jenna Tseng: 2025 PCA Coach of the Year Top 10 National Winner presented by TeamSnap

Coach Tseng has always made it clear that she is more interested in coaching kids to be good humans than good climbers. This means that when they walk away from the team, they leave not just with improved finger strength and “boulder shoulders”, but with a nuanced definition of success, strong independence, and coping mechanisms to deal with any challenges they will face in the future.

She has her team fill out goal sheets at the beginning of each season which can include things like better placement in competitions, but more importantly include “process goals” such as tackling a goal that scares them or remembering to breathe while on the wall. These goals help not only in competition but in challenging life situations as well.

Her coaching style meets each climber where they are at as soon as they walk in the door- whether it’s needing a snack after a long day, wanting to share something that happened outside of rock-climbing, or arriving with a little less energy than is needed for the task at hand. She quietly assesses where they are at and tailors practice to meet each athlete’s needs.

The gym is welcoming and warm, offering a safe space for all athletes to feel accepted and part of the team – this includes kids from all different walks of life, backgrounds, and identities. Jenna’s dedication constantly inspires other coaches and cultivates a process-based, equitable learning environment whether in practice or competitions.