Dec. 24, 2006: Wrestling USA Magazine

Mountain Top Wrestling Members Take Nine Awards, 5th Place Team at Gladiator World Championships

(Sandy, Utah) Dec. 24, 2006 — Eight Mountain Top Wrestling Club members traveled up to Nampa, Ida., to compete in the Gladiator World Championships folkstyle wrestling tournament at the Idaho Center. Of the eight competitors, seven placed; two received Outstanding Sportsmanship Awards; and the team came in at fifth place in the 6-12 and Under division.

"This was a great tournament for the guys," said Coach Bill Kilpack (III). "The first of the Rocky Mountain Nationals series that we hit, and they came out ready to go. We had some surprises — two who I thought would be in the finals weren't — but we still had two in the finals. To come to a national tournament and have seven of eight place is pretty impressive. All the guys stepped up and wrestled their guts out."

Two athletes came away with 2nd place trophies: 5-year-old Garrick Kilpack of Sandy, 6 and Under 40 lbs., and his sister, 11-year-old MacKelti, 10 and Under 69 lbs. Garrick lost a tough championship match after pinning every opponent to reach the finals; MacKelti came in as the runner-up in the Girls Division II, in this, her first year wrestling. She also received an Outstanding Sportsmanship Award following her second loss in the boys division.

The Outstanding Sportsmanship Award recipients were selected by the mat official following one of their matches, Kilpack said, "for wrestling hard, not giving up, maintaining a positive attitude and, in general, being a good example for others in the sport."

Three wrestlers earned 3rd place trophies: 7-year-old Helaman Suesue of Salt Lake City, 8 and Under 70 lbs.; 11-year-old Tyler Jensen of West Valley City, 12 and Under 62 lbs.; and 11-year-old Marcus Teller of West Jordan, 12 and Under 130 lbs. "Also significant is that Teller is also a first-year wrestler, who pinned several opponents, and lost a very tough decision in his challenge for true second," Kilpack said.

One young athlete took a 4th place medal: 11-year-old William Kilpack of Sandy, 12 and Under 86 lbs.

One young wrestler took a 6th place medal: 11-year-old Nick Hulbert of West Jordan, 12 and Under 106 lbs. Hulbert also received an Outstanding Sportsmanship Award.

These accomplishments accumulated points for Mountain Top Wrestling Club in the team competition for the 6-12 and Under age division, earning the club 5th place. "We only had eight wrestlers, and the team competition was decided on a 14-man roster," Kilpack said. "For only having half a team, I'm pretty happy with how things turned out."

Cole Moody of West Jordan, 8 and Under 52 lbs., also competed, being beaten out one round short of the medal rounds.

"This was a good experience," said Coach Bill Kilpack (Jr.). "We're very proud of the kids."

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. The program will start back up for the freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling season in late January. For more information, call 641-9832, e-mail coach@mountaintopwrestling.com or visit them on the Worldwide Web at www.mountaintopwrestling.com.