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Dec.
4, 2007: Wrestling USA
Magazine
Four Mountain Top Wrestlers Achieve All-American Status
at Reno Nationals
(Sandy, Utah) Eight Mountain Top Wrestling Club members
traveled to Reno, Nev., to compete in the Reno Nationals
in folkstyle wrestling. The tournament, held Dec. 1-2,
2007, at the at the Reno Livestock Events Center, is part
of the World of Wrestling series of folkstyle national
tournaments, and hosted top athletes ranging from age 4 to
15. Of the eight athletes competing, four placed, and one
won a national title. "This was a great experience,"
said Coach Bill Kilpack (III). "It came very early in the
season, so we had some rust to kick off, as well as some
who were a little green, but they really stepped up and
did themselves proud." Winning a national title was
12-year-old William Kilpack of Sandy, who competed in the
12 and Under 100-pound division. He pinned every opponent
and only allowed two points to be scored against him.
Taking runner-up honors was 8-year-old Derek Fisher of
Lindon, who competed in the 8 and Under 49-pound division.
Fisher lost his first match to the wrestler who ended up
taking gold, then wrestled his way back through the
consolation bracket to win third, then was able to
challenge for true second. That challenge was against
another Utah wrestler, Fisher's long-time nemesis and a
national champion to boot. Fisher had wrestled him many
times (including two weeks prior), but never won, until
the Reno Nationals. "Derek's match for true second was
really exciting," said Kilpack. "He is such a coachable
kid. He listened well, and was very explosive in that
match." Fisher won a decision with a score of 10-5.
Finishing fourth in their divisions were 6-year-old
Garrick Kilpack of Sandy, 6 and Under 43 lbs., and Jake
Johnson of Sandy, 15 and Under 157 lbs. The highlight of
Garrick's tournament was in the semi-finals, when he met
the defending champion. In an exciting match, Garrick tied
the score with two seconds left on the clock, but lost in
overtime, when his opponent for the first takedown, making
it an 8-6 decision. Johnson was the proverbial underdog.
Not only is he a first-year wrestler, but his first live
match was there at the Reno Nationals. He wrestled some
very tough competition, and came out fourth.
"Jake is great to coach," Kilpack said. "He works
really hard, really wants to learn, and just never stops.
He's so aggressive that he makes up for a lot of things
that he hasn't learned yet. I was just tickled to death to
see how well he did." Also competing in the tournament
was Mason Christiansen of Riverton, 6 and Under 55 lbs.;
and siblings Siondileigh Kilpack of Sandy, 8 and Under 55
lbs., MacKelti, 10 and Under 80 lbs., and Ella-Maereen, 15
and Under 115 lbs. "This was a great experience for the
kids," said Coach Bill Kilpack (Jr.). "Some had some
disappointing matches ending in close losses, but everyone
came away better and stronger for it. Seeing them continue
to grow and develop, even from one match to the next, is a
real pleasure." 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 are held three days a week 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. |
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