Aug. 25, 2005: Wrestling USA Magazine

Sandy, Draper, West Jordan Youths Named Outstanding Wrestlers; Mountain Top Wrestling Club Recognizes Athletic Excellence

(Sandy, Utah) Aug. 25, 2005 — Mountain Top Wrestling Club held its annual Awards Dinner at the Bell Canyon Park pavilion, recognizing youth athletes for excellence. Attendees from the 77-man team received gold medals for their hard work and dedication over the season, photographs of themselves in matches, team photos and trophies for the Most Improved, Rookie of the Year, and Outstanding Wrestlers and a Triumph Award.

"This has been a great year, with so many new guys wrestling for the first time and so many new and supportive parents," said Coach Bill Kilpack (III).  "Wrestling is the hardest sport there is. Without strong family support, no wrestler can succeed. We wanted to make sure that the parents feel appreciated. We wanted all the guys to know that their hard work and dedication was noticed and appreciated. In addition, we recognized 19 leaders within the team for taking things the next level."

Four trophies for Outstanding Wrestler were awarded to William Kilpack of Sandy, who wrestled Midget (ages 9 and 10) 70 lbs.; Tayler Johnson of Draper, Bantam (ages 7 and 8) 60 lbs.; Kyler Machan of West Jordan, Midget 55 lbs.; and Matthew Findlay of Draper, Midget 60 lbs.

This season, Kilpack won three National Championships, five All-American finishes, placed at the USA Wrestling Western Regional Championships, won a state title, and three Utah Summer Games championships. Johnson won two National Championships, three All-American finishes, a state title, and three Utah Summer Games championships. Machan won two state titles. Findlay won many championships, a tournament outstanding wrestler award, and just fell short of two state titles.

Five trophies were presented for Rookie of the Year. "These were all first-year wrestlers who not only made great improvements over the year, but took it to the next level beyond their peers," Kilpack said. Receiving Rookie of the Year were Tanner Orton of Midvale, Flyweight (ages 6 and under) 35 lbs.; Jordan Harbaugh of South Jordan, Flyweight 40 lbs.; Beau McRae of South Jordan, Flyweight 50 lbs.; Caden Maynes of West Jordan, Bantam (ages 7 and 8) 40 lbs.; and Jordan McRae of South Jordan, Bantam 50 lbs.

Nine trophies were also awarded for the Most Improved wrestlers. These were awarded to Garrick Kilpack of Sandy, Flyweight 35 lbs.; Devin Johnson of Draper, Fkyweight 45 lbs.; Cole Moody of West Jordan, Flyweight 50 lbs.; Helaman Suesue of Salt Lake City, Flyweight 60 lbs.; Justin Schwendiman of West Jordan, Midget 60 lbs.; Travis McRae of South Jordan, Schoolboy (ages 13 and 14) 105 lbs.; Josh Wright of Taylorsville, Cadet (ages 15 and 16) 98 lbs.; and Danny Huntsman of West Jordan, Junior 125 lbs. "All nine showed remarkable progress by the end of the season compared to season opening," Kilpack said.

One trophy, a Triumph Award, was presented for overcoming incredible odds and obstacles, ranging from starting wrestling at the age of 15, taking a year off after being in a serious car accident that made it impossible to pass a physical that year, to competing against 17 and 18-year-old young men and never giving up. The award was presented to Jessica Osborne of Salt Lake City, Junior 105 lbs. "What she faces day in and day out, yet she continues to maintain a positive attitude and give every match everything she's got is nothing short of inspiring," Kilpack said.  "Wrestling is a tough sport. And she's got it tougher, because there aren't enough women wrestling in Utah for her to be able to wrestle against other women. So, to get mat time, she has to wrestle men. And she goes after it, asking for no quarter, and giving back everything she gets. In light of that and everything else she's gone through the past couple years, that sort of determination is a wonderful gift."

The trophy recipients were selected by the Mountain Top Wrestling Club coaching staff.

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 teaching 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 will resume at the beginning of next season in January 2006 at Jordan High School. For more information, call 641-9832, e-mail coach@mountaintopwrestling.com or visit them on the Worldwide Web at http://www.mountaintopwrestling.com.