March 13, 2005: Wrestling USA Magazine

Mountain Top Wrestling Members Seize 37 Medals at State Championships;
14 State Champions Crowned

(Sandy, Utah) — April 10, 2005 — Mountain Top Wrestling Club (formerly Jordan Freestyle Wrestling) trekked up to Pleasant View, Ut., for the USA Wrestling Utah freestyle and Greco-Roman State Championships held at Weber High School April 9-10, 2005. Thirty-six athletes earned 37 medals between the two styles.

"This was an amazing showing," said Coach Bill Kilpack (III). "We had a first-year wrestler overcome past defeats to take state; we had a half-dozen second-year wrestlers take top honors; and most of our mainstay wrestlers stayed true to their championship form. It's really a testament to the dedication and competitive drive of these guys to keep coming out each week, learning something new at the tournaments and at practice, then implementing it to make themselves better. This was our best showing at the state tournament ever. There is an awful lot of talent in this group of young athletes. It's exciting and very gratifying to be able to help them grow and develop into great wrestlers."

Of the 36 competitors in the freestyle tournament, 24 took home medals; 17 of those 22 were in the top three places, and six were state champions. Of the 13 competing in Greco-Roman, 12 placed, with 10 coming in the top three places, and seven were state champions.

Of the 23 freestyle medals, six were gold, led by first-year wrestler Jordan Harbaugh of South Jordan, Flyweight (ages 6 and under) 40 lbs., and second-year wrestler Tayler Johnson of Draper, Bantam (ages 7 and 8) 60 lbs. Both wrestlers won every match in the tournament by fall or technical fall (gaining a 10-point lead). Harbaugh pinned all opponents but one. In that match, he came back from an 8-1 deficit to win by technical fall with a score of 20-10, outscoring his opponent 19-2 in the remainder of the match. Johnson pinned all five of his opponents, one of those falls coming in 12 seconds, and another in 13 seconds. In all, not one of Johnson's matches made it into the second round.

Also winning state championships in freestyle were Tanner Orton of Midvale, Flyweight 35 lbs., who won his championship match by fall; Beau McRae of South Jordan, Flyweight 45 lbs., who won his gold-medal match against his teammate by decision with a score of 9-5; Helaman Suesue of Salt Lake City, Flyweight 60 lbs., who won his championship match by fall; and second-year wrestler Kyler Machan of West Jordan, Midget (ages 9 and 10) 55 lbs., who won his gold-medal match by decision. Also winning state was Austin Swenson of South Jordan, Midget 80 lbs.

Taking silver medals were two wrestlers to pinned or teched all opponents to reach the finals, then lost grueling one-point decisions. William Kilpack of Sandy, Midget (ages 9 and 10) 65 lbs., pinned or teched four opponents, then lost a heartbreaking 8-7 decision in the championship match; Jordan McRae of South Jordan, Bantam 50 lbs., pinned or teched five opponents to reach the finals, then lost an equally difficult 7-6 decision.

Also taking state silver medals were first-year wrestlers Garrick Kilpack of Sandy, Flyweight 35 lbs., Cole Moody of West Jordan, Flyweight 45 lbs., and Caden Maynes of West Jordan, Bantam 40 lbs.; and Jessica Osborne of Salt Lake City, Junior (ages 17 and 18) 105 lbs.

Winning third-place bronze in freestyle were Matthew Findlay of Draper, Midget 60 lbs.; Dylan Carlson of Kearns, Schoolboy (ages 13 and 14) 115 lbs.; and Danny Huntsman of West Jordan, Junior 125 lbs.

Earning fourth-place bronze medals were first-year wrestler Cole Clark of South Jordan, Bantam 60 lbs.; and Daniel Bactista of Kaysville, Novice (ages 11 and 12) 80 lbs.

Taking fifth-place bronze medals in freestyle were Matt Lee of Draper, Bantam 50 lbs.; Tyler Schwendiman of South Jordan, Bantam 55 lbs., Tyler Jensen of West Valley City, Novice 60 lbs.; and Travis McRae of South Jordan, Schoolboy 105 lbs.

Winning sixth-place bronze medals were Riley Tatum of West Jordan, Bantam 45 lbs.; and Jordan Layton of Clearfield, Cadet (ages and 15 and 16) 125 lbs.

Of the 12 Greco-Roman medals earned, seven were gold, earned by Kyler Machan, Midget 55 lbs.; William Kilpack, Midget 65 lbs.; Austin Swenson, Midget 80 lbs.; Travis McRae, Schoolboy 105 lbs.; Jessica Osborne, Junior 105 lbs.; and Danny Huntsman, Junior 119 lbs.

Taking Greco silver were Matthew Findlay, Midget 60 lbs.; and Dylan Carlson, Schoolboy 115 lbs.

Winning third-place bronze in Greco was Tyler Jensen, Novice 60 lbs. Winning fourth-place bronze in Greco was Wesly Orton of Midvale, Novice 60 lbs.; and Josh Wright of Taylorsville, Cadet (ages 15 and 16) 98 lbs. Taking fifth-place bronze in Greco was Daniel Bactista, Novice 80 lbs. Taking sixth-place bronze was Jordan Layton, Cadet 125 lbs.

Also competing in the freestyle tournament were Benjamin De La Cruz of West Valley City, Flyweight 45 lbs.; Hunter Harrington of Draper, Flyweight 45 lbs.; Devin Johnson of Draper, Flyweight 45 lbs.; Skylar Orton of Midvale, Bantam 45 lbs.; Austin Maynes of Sandy, Midget 60 lbs.; Justin Schwendiman of West Jordan, Midget 60 lbs.; Christopher Quintana of Salt Lake City, Midget 65 lbs.; Wesly Orton, Novice 60 lbs.; Brayden Schwendiman of South Jordan, Novice 60 lbs.; Mitch Penrose of Riverton, Novice 65 lbs.; and CJ Clark of South Jordan, Cadet 98 lbs.

Also competing in both the freestyle and Greco-Roman tournaments was Ray Hinnen of West Jordan, Novice 75 lbs.

"This was really an impressive accomplishment for a club with the majority of those competing being first- or second-year wrestlers," said Coach Bill Kilpack (Jr.). "All the kids have learned a lot and are applying it well on the mat. Four months ago, so many of these kids had never set foot on a mat. Some couldn't keep from crying long enough to win a match. Now they're standing on the medals podium. It's great to see this kind of development."

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.