A Lowcountry middle schooler is climbing his way to the top. He's making his way to the big stage, but not in the way you may think.
Jesse Weber is anything but your average 12 year old. He's 5 and a half feet tall and all muscle.
"I started pole fitness when I was 9, about 3 years ago. What I enjoy most is how creative you can be and how it makes you really strong," said Weber.
He makes it look easy, climbing, spinning and flipping upside down. Weber skills will be on display this weekend in a big way.
"In my category, there's no one. I'm the first one and only one. I'm the first boy competing for the U.S. ever," said Weber.
Weber is the first boy ever to compete in the U.S. National Pole Sports Championship.
He got the dancing bug from his mom, Jodi Weber.
"I've been doing it for about 10 years. When they added vertical kids classes, Jesse and his brother too at the time signed up, and he just loved it and he's been doing it ever since," said Jodi Weber.
He fell in love with the sport, and the spinning. Over the last 6 months, he's spent 6 hours training every week.
"I have to go to school on the weekdays. If there's a half day, I come here after school. I also do tumbling and a ninja class on the weekend," said Weber.
And he's hoping this weekend, all his hard work pays off.
He's competing in Nationals in Tuscon, Arizona Saturday at 2:30pm.