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Dec.
5, 2007: The Wrestling Mall, High School News
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. 12, 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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