March 13, 2005: Wrestling USA Magazine

Mountain Top Wrestling Members Seize 54 Awards, 2nd Place Team Trophy,
Two Outstanding Wrestler Awards at Mountain Top Classic

(Sandy, Utah) — March 13, 2005 — Mountain Top Wrestling Club (formerly Jordan Freestyle Wrestling) took the competition to its own back yard at the Mountain Top Classic at Jordan High School, March 11-12, 2005, earning 53 awards in freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. In freestyle, 50 wrestlers competed, earning 41 awards. In Greco-Roman, 13 athletes competed, all 13 earning 19 awards. The team also won the 2nd place team trophy, and two athletes were named Outstanding Wrestlers for their age divisions.

“This was the biggest tournament of the season, in both styles, and will likely not be topped this year in size or quality of competition while remaining in-state,” said Coach Bill Kilpack (III). “It was our first time hosting a tournament, which proved very successful. But, more importantly, it got 50 of our guys to go out and compete. For many, it was their first time, and I hope this taste of success will just serve as an appetizer for them. Again, this was the most awards our guys have ever earned, topping our achievement last week, but we also had a brutal fight for the team trophy, losing out on first by a slim margin. Just as exciting, though, was that one of our first-year wrestlers was named an Outstanding Wrestler, and another was earned by an athlete who has always done well, but I think is finally starting to realize just how much talent he really has."

First-year wrestler Jordan Harbaugh of South Jordan, Flyweight (ages 6 and under) 40 lbs., was named Outstanding Wrestler for his age division. Second-year wrestler Matthew Findlay of Draper, Midget (ages 9 and 10) 60 lbs., was named Outstanding Wrestler for his age division. Mountain Top Wrestling Club was the only club to earn two of these individual awards.

Mountain Top earned the second-place team trophy with 542 points, falling behind the first-place winner by a mere 38 points.

Of the 41 freestyle awards earned, Mountain Top team members took eight gold. Tanner Orton of Midvale, Flyweight 35 lbs., won his championship match by technical fall (gaining a 10-point lead), with a score of 16-6; Jordan Harbaugh, Flyweight 40 lbs., won his gold-medal match by fall; Helaman Suesue of Salt Lake City, Flyweight 60 lbs., won his championship match with a 32-second fall; Tyler Schwendiman of South Jordan, Bantam (ages 7 and 8) 55 lbs., won his gold-medal match by fall; Kyler Machan of West Jordan, Midget (ages 9 and 10) 55 lbs., won his gold-medal match by a hard-fought decision, with a score of 9-6; Matthew Findlay, Midget 60 lbs., won his championship match with a 29-second fall; William Kilpack of Sandy, Midget 65 lbs., came back from a five-point deficit to win his championship match by decision with a score of 13-8, outscoring his opponent 11-1 in the last round.

Winning freestyle silver were six competitors. Beau McRae of South Jordan, Flyweight 45 lbs., won his silver-medal match by decision, with a score of 11-9; Devin Johnson of Draper, Flyweight 45 lbs., won his second-place match with a 44-second fall; Jordan McRae of South Jordan, Bantam 50 lbs., won his silver-medal match by technical fall, with a score of 10-0; Tyler Jensen of West Valley City, Novice (ages 11 and 12) 60 lbs., won his second-place match by decision, with a score of 7-5; Travis McRae of South Jordan, Schoolboy 105 lbs., won his silver-medal match by decision with a score of 14-12. First-year wrestler Nick Hulbert of West Valley City, also won silver.

Taking freestyle bronze were six athletes: first-year wrestler Cole Moody of West Jordan, Flyweight 45 lbs.; first-year wrestler Alex Maurer of Sandy, Flyweight 60 lbs.; Skylar Orton of Midvale, Bantam 40 lbs.; first-year wrestler Dallin Jepson of Draper, Bantam 50 lbs.; first-year wrestler Randy Stratton of Sandy, Novice 140 lbs.; and Dylan Carlson of Kearns, Schoolboy 120 lbs.

Winning fourth-place freestyle ribbons were first-year wrestler Garrick Kilpack of Sandy, Flyweight 35 lbs.; Austin Anderson of West Jordan, Bantam 50 lbs.; first-year wrestler Cole Clark of South Jordan, Bantam 60 lbs.; first-year wrestlers Justin Schwendiman of West Jordan, Midget 60 lbs.; Wesly Orton of Midvale, Novice 60 lbs.; Mitch Penrose of Riverton, Novice 65 lbs.; first-year wrestler Phillip Coté of Sandy, Novice 95 lbs.; Jordan Layton of Clearfield, Cadet (ages 15 and 16) 125 lbs.; and CJ Clark of South Jordan, Junior (ages 17 and 18) 105 lbs.

Earning fifth-place ribbons in freestyle were Matthew Lee of Draper, Bantam 50 lbs.; first-year wrestler Alex Evans of Draper, Bantam 55 lbs.; first-year wrestler Nikolas Gross of Clearfield, Bantam 60 lbs.; first-year wrestler Timothy Coté of Sandy, Midget 60 lbs.; first-year wrestler Austin Maynes of West Jordan, Midget 60 lbs.; and Jessica Osborne of Salt Lake City, Junior 105 lbs.

Earning sixth-place ribbons in freestyle were first-year wrestler Hunter Harrington of Draper, Flyweight 45 lbs.; Riley Tatum of West Jordan, Bantam 45 lbs.; first-year wrestler Colten Remington of South Jordan, Midget 70 lbs.; Ray Hinnen of West Jordan, Novice 75 lbs.; and Dillan Silver of West Jordan, Schoolboy 85 lbs.

Of the 13 Greco-Roman tournament awards earned, five were gold, earned by Kyler Machan, Midget 55 lbs.; William Kilpack, Midget 65 lbs.; Travis McRae, Schoolboy 105 lbs.; Dylan Carlson, Schoolboy 120 lbs.; and Jessica Osborne, Junior 105 lbs.

Winning Greco-Roman silver medals were Tyler Jensen, Novice 60 lbs.; and Danny Huntsman of West Jordan, Junior 125 lbs.

Earning Greco-Roman bronze were Wesly Orton, Novice 60 lbs.; Ray Hinnen, Novice 75 lbs.; and Josh Wright of Taylorsville, Cadet 98 lbs.

Winning fourth-place Greco-Roman ribbons were Matthew Findlay, Midget 65 lbs.; Daniel Bactista of Kaysville, Novice 80 lbs.; and Jordan Layton, Cadet 125 lbs.

"This was a real learning and growth experience for the team and their families," said Coach Bill Kilpack (Jr.). "They marched into what might just be their toughest Utah tournament, some coming in cold, and came out winners. On the other side, we really pulled together as a team to make the tournament run well and efficiently. I think that we all got to learn some things this weekend."

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.