Before chalk dust filled the air, the Tosa Fireflies climbing team gathered in a quiet circle, exchanging hugs and memories after a heartfelt four years. For the senior climbers, this night marked the end of a chapter. This was their final climb with the team that had become family. As they laced up and stepped onto the wall one last time, it wasn’t just about finishing a route. It was about honoring the journey, the friendships, and the countless holds, both literal and emotional, that had brought them to this moment.

¨Being a part of this team was incredible, and I’m super sad knowing I’ll be graduating and leaving it soon. Everyone is so fun to talk to and climb with, and the environment is one of the most welcoming things I’ve been 

in or seen,”said Will Beyer, a Tosa East senior who has been on the team for the past two years. 

The Tosa Fireflies are a co-op team of students from East and West, who come together every Tuesday to Adventure Rock in Milwaukee to practice their skills. The team is open to all grades, and all skill levels are welcome. 

“The climbing community is all about support,” Stated Luke Broeckling, another Tosa East senior. “Climbing isn’t exactly a team sport in theory, but in practice, your team helps you so much through training, confidence, and enjoyment of the sport that it really ends up becoming one of the most important parts.”

Through different competitions, field trips, and meets, each climber has contributed to making this team a family. Through the Wisconsin High School Climbing League (WHSCL), this team competes in different competitions for both top rope and bouldering. Over 500 students from 40 other schools, representing all around Wisconsin, are part of this league. During their last competition at state, it was the last chance for seniors to give it their all.

“The most memorable to me was Wauwatosa getting third in the team category at state. It was a moment of shock for all of us, but a good shock. It was an incredible feeling,” Beyer stated. 

The team continued to celebrate this win through their last meeting, sharing the memories and excitement with their coaches, Noah Manke and Sean Hickey. As two teachers at East, they have brought the team together through their dedication to make a comfortable space for all. 

“Watching the team grow and form its own identity has been really fun to watch and be a part of, and watching new climbers improve so much has been really inspirational,” Said Broeckling, who has been a part of the current team for the past two years. 

Though their time on the team is coming to a close, the legacy these seniors leave behind, one of support, resilience, and community, will continue to shape the Fireflies for seasons to come. New climbers will take to the wall, learn to trust their grip, and lean on their teammates the way the seniors once did.

For the Tosa Fireflies, it’s not just about reaching the top. It’s about how you get there, and who’s cheering for you along the way.