Feb.5, 2005: Wrestling USA Magazine

Utah's Mountain Top Wrestling Club Takes Five Medals at U.S. Folkstyle Nationals

((Sandy, Utah) Feb. 5, 2005 - Mountain Top Wrestling Club traveled to Richfield, Ut., to compete in the fifth annual U.S. Folkstyle National Championships sponsored by the Utah Amateur Wrestling Foundation. Six competitors earned five medals.

"This was a really a last-minute decision to go to this tournament," said Coach Bill Kilpack (III). "We had only held six practices, but a few people said they wanted to go, so we scrambled and went. I was a little worried about going to a tournament like this with so little mat time so far, but it turned out extremely well."

Of the five awards earned, one was gold, two were silver and two were bronze. Riley Tatum of West Jordan, six and under 43 lbs., earned a silver medal. William Kilpack of Sandy, ages 10 and under 67 lbs., earned a fourth-place bronze medal. Wesly Orton of Midvale, ages 12 and under 58 lbs., earned a silver medal. Tyler Jensen of West Valley City, ages 10 and under, competed in two weight divisions, earning a gold medal in the 55 lbs. division and a third-place bronze medal in the 58-lbs. division.

The tournament had about 800 wrestlers competing, ranging from states neighboring Utah to as far away as Florida.

"We were sort of looking at this as a warmup for the rest of the season," said Coach Bill Kilpack (Jr.). "Of course, one of our guys had a two-time national champion and a four-time Western Regional champion in his weight class, which made this a pretty extreme warmup. But the kids went out and showed their stuff."

Also competing from Mountain Top Wrestling Club were Tayler Johnson of Draper, ages 8 and under 58 lbs., and Kyler Machan of West Jordan, ages 10 and under 58 lbs.

Mountain Top Wrestling Club is a nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation dedicated to providing a venue for individuals to learn, develop and refine their athletic skills and abilities; and educating regarding the rules and regulations of freestyle, folkstyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. It is open to male and female athletes ages four and older who live anywhere in the State of Utah. Practices are held three days a week from 5:30­7 p.m. at Jordan High School. For more information, call 641-9832, e-mail coach@mountaintopwrestling.com or visit them on the Worldwide Web at www.mountaintopwrestling.com.