Dec. 13, 2007: The Wrestling Mall, High School News

Utah Wrestling: Jordan Junior Wrestlers Take the Top Gun

(Sandy, Utah) Dec. 12, 2007 — Fourteen members of Jordan Junior Wrestling weathered the blizzard to traveled up to North Ogden to compete in the Top Gun of Utah folkstyle wrestling tournament held at Weber High School. Of those 14, 10 placed, including four champions.

“The guys really showed some growth since the last tournament,” said Coach Bill Kilpack (III). “We pulled out some matches when we got to slow starts, giving away leads, where that just didn't happen a couple weeks ago. And their technique was so much sharper. It was really exciting to see how much they improve and build from one tournament to the next.”

Winning championships were four athletes: two on the junior high/middle school team and two on the elementary team. The two junior high/middle team champions included 13-year-old Jake Ribald of West Jordan, who wrestled in the Junior High Advanced 124-pound bracket and pinned every opponent; and 13-year-old Jake Johnson of Sandy, who wrestled in the Junior High Beginner 157-pound bracket. The two elementary team champions included 6-year-old Mason Christiansen of Riverton, who wrestled in the 1st Grade 55-pound bracket and pinned every opponent; and 7-year-old Justyn Ribald of West Jordan, who wrestled in the 2nd Grade 65-pound bracket and pinned every opponent.

Taking second was 6-year-old Garrick Kilpack of Sandy, who wrestled in the 1st Grade 45-pound bracket, pinning every opponent, until he fell short in his match in the finals.

Placing third were three athletes: 13-year-old Jacob Westover of Sandy, who wrested in the Junior High Beginner 100-pound bracket; 12-year-old William Kilpack of Sandy, who wrestled in the Junior High Advanced 104-pound bracket; and 9-year-old Gabe Hamideh of Sandy, who wrestled in the 4th Grade 75-pound bracket.

Placing fourth were two wrestlers: 8-year-old Siondileigh Kilpack of Sandy, 3rd Grade 55-pound bracket; and Spencer Westover of Sandy, 4th Grade 60-pound bracket.

Also competing were 10-year-old MacKelti Kilpack of Sandy, in the Junior High Beginner 83-pound bracket; 12-year-old Justin Schwendiman of West Jordan, in the Junior High Advanced 70-pound bracket; 14-year-old Ella-Maereen Kilpack of Sandy, Junior High Beginner 116 lbs.; and Zayne Sayers of Sandy, Junior High Advanced 155 lbs.

Jordan Junior Wrestling is a folkstyle wrestling program offered through Salt Lake County Recreation, operating out or Jordan High School in Sandy. The middle school/junior high team is for grades five through nine; the elementary team is for grades four and younger. For more information, go to http://members.aol.com/jordanjuniors/ or email jordanjuniors@aol.com.