Rachel Godown, 15, got hooked on rock climbing three years ago when she saw the opening scene from the movie "Mission Impossible II."

"When Tom Cruise slipped and almost fell off the rock, I thought that was awesome, and I wanted to try it," she said.

After scheduling her next birthday party at a local climbing gym, the North Raleigh teen started climbing competitively.

Meg Milan, 12, also of North Raleigh, attended Rachel's climbing party where she discovered a talent for the sport.

"I love climbing. It's different, and it helps build strength," Meg said.

The girls' coach, Greg Kerzhner, 18, a former professional climber who is now a freshman at Duke University, is impressed with their abilities.

"Meg is the best in her age group," he said. "Rachel is talented as well and always gives 110 percent."

The girls are part of the Vertical Edge climbing team of Durham. Each placed first in her age group March 29 at the Red Rock climbing competition in Fayetteville and will be competing today and Saturday in the Dixie Rock 19 contest in Chapel Hill.

Kerzhner expects them to win.

"I always expect the best from my team," he said.

As for Rachel, does she feel like Tom Cruise in that "Mission Impossible" scene?

"Sometimes I really do feel like that," she said.