Aug. 8, 2006: The Wrestling Mall, High School News

Sandy, Draper, West Valley Youths Named Outstanding Wrestlers

Mountain Top Wrestling Club Recognizes Athletes for Excellence on the Mat

(Sandy, Utah) Aug. 6, 2006 - Mountain Top Wrestling Club held its annual Awards Dinner at the Bell Canyon Park pavilion, recognizing youth athletes for excellence on the wrestling mat. Attendees from the 113-man team received custom club 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 Most Dedicated. One mother was also awarded for the over-the-top work she performed over the year, in support of the young athletes.

“This has been a great year, with so many new and supportive parents, which is absolutely essential to kids being able to develop and succeed in this sport,” said Coach Bill Kilpack (III). “Wrestling is the hardest sport there is. Without strong family support, it's a seriously tough go. We wanted to make sure that the parents know how much we appreciate everything they do. We wanted all the guys to know that their hard work is valued. In addition, we recognized 13 leaders within the team for taking things the next level, as well as one parent who really went the extra mile this year.”

Three trophies for Outstanding Wrestler were awarded to William Kilpack of Sandy, who wrestled Novice (ages 11 and 12) 80 lbs.; Tayler Johnson of Draper, Midget (ages 9 and 10) 65 lbs.; and Tyler Jensen of West Valley City, Novice 60 lbs.

This season, Kilpack won a National Championship, was in the finals at three more national tournaments, placed at the USA Wrestling Western Regional Championships, took state in Junior High as a fifth grader, won three Utah Summer Games championships, and was the first Utahn to compete in Beach Wrestling, taking a silver medal at the 11-state tournament. Johnson won a National Championship and was named Outstanding Wrestler for his age division at that tournament. Jensen took state in Junior High as a sixth grader, as well as taking state in both freestyle and Greco-Roman, and placed at the USA Wrestling Western Regional Championships.

Four trophies were presented for Rookie of the Year. "These were all first-year wrestlers who not only made great improvements over the year, but excelled beyond their peers," Kilpack said. Receiving Rookie of the Year were Jed Lee of Draper, Flyweight (ages 6 and Under) 40 lbs.; Addison Day of Sandy, Midget 60 lbs.; Jordan Drage of Taylorsville, Schoolboy (ages 13 and 14) 105 lbs.; and Nick Pappas of Taylorsville, Schoolboy 125 lbs.

Five trophies were also awarded for the Most Improved wrestlers. These were awarded to Garrick Kilpack of Sandy, Flyweight 40 lbs.; Beau McRae of South Jordan, Bantam 50 lbs.; Tyler Schwendiman of South Jordan, Midget 55 lbs.; Austin Maynes of West Jordan, Novice 65 lbs.; and Jessica Osborne of Salt Lake City, Junior (ages 17 and 18) 112 lbs. “All five showed remarkable progress by the end of the season compared to season opening and seasons past,” Kilpack said. "Every one of them beat opponents who have beaten them repeatedly in the past. Their growth this year was incredible."

One trophy, Most Dedicated, was presented to 11-year-old Justin Schwendiman of West Jordan, Novice 60 lbs., for consistently working hard at practice, maintaining a great attitude, and being a good example to the rest of the team. “This is what I like to think of as a leadership by example award,” Kilpack said. “Wrestling is a tough sport. No matter what, coming back and giving it your all, regardless of what you might be facing day in and day out, and maintaining such a positive attitude is just a pleasure to have on the team, both as an athlete and a coach.”

"Every so often, we also recognize a parent for putting in a tremendous amount of effort in support of these kids," Kilpack said. "This year, there was one mother who took on a lot of responsibility in putting on our tournament, the Mountain Top Classic, maintained stats for everyone on the team at tournaments, attended practice more often than 90 percent of the kids, helped coordinate countless things for getting the kids and parents t-shirts and other goodies. She really made this year special for everyone." The recipient was Alison Schwendiman of West Jordan, receiving a plaque engraved with a message about how much all her time and effort was appreciated, and dubbing her "team mom."

The award 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 2007 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.