Dec. 18, 2007: The Wrestling Mall, High School News

Utah Youth: Mountain Top Wrestlers Take Five National Titles, Nine All-American Finishes at Gladiator

(Sandy, Utah) Eleven Mountain Top Wrestling Club members traveled to Nampa, Ida., to compete in the Gladiator World Championships in folkstyle wrestling. The tournament, held Dec. 15, 2007, at the at the Idaho Center Center, is part of the Rocky Mountain Wrestling series of folkstyle national tournaments, and hosted top athletes ranging from age 4 to 15. Of the eleven competing, nine placed, and five won national titles.

“This was a great experience," said Coach Bill Kilpack (III). "It really showed the level of improvement from the Reno Nationals two weeks ago, and showed some of our newer members, who have never competed at the national level, that they are very capable. We are very proud of them."

Winning national titles were Garrick Kilpack of Sandy in the 6 and Under 46-pound division, Justyn Ribald of West Jordan in the 8 and Under 62-pound division, MacKelti Kilpack of Sandy in the Women's Division III, William Kilpack of Sandy in the 12 and Under 98-pound division, and Ella-Maereen Kilpack of Sandy in the Women's Division IV.

Leading the team was 12-year-old William Kilpack, who pinned every opponent until the finals, for a total of two minutes between the matches. In the finals, he was unable to pin his opponent, but won 9-0, completing the day without a single point being scored against him.

Eleven-year-old MacKelti Kilpack pinned every opponent in the Women's Division III, and did not allow a single point to be scored against her, either. In the finals, she had a rematch against an opponent who, at this same tournament last year, beat MacKelti soundly. But she came ahead today, gaining a lead of 12-0 before pinning her in the third round.

Six-year-old Garrick Kilpack had a dominant tournament, also, winning his first national championship. His toughest match was in the first round, which he won 10-6, then marched through his opponents, pinning or winning major decision, until the finals, which he won in a 9-3 decision.

Seven-year-old Ribald had to fight for everything he got in this tournament. He had several matches that came down to points scored in the last seconds, including his finals match, which he won 8-6 in overtime.

The fifth national champion was 14-year-old Ella-Maereen Kilpack, who won the title in Women's Division IV in her first national women's competition.

Taking runner-up honors was 9-year-old Siondileigh Kilpack of Sandy, in the Women's Division II, also in her first national women's competition.

Taking third-place honors was Jake Johnson of Sandy in the 15 and Under 158-pound bracket.

Taking sixth place were two wrestlers: Rami Haddadin of Sandy, 15 and Under 81 lbs., and Jake Ribald of West Jordan, 15 and Under 123 lbs.

Thirteen-year-old Haddadin, in his first national tournament, made it to the quarter finals before losing a tough 5-3 decision to the eventual champion, then working his way back through the consolation bracket to place sixth.

Thirteen-year-old Ribald also wrestled through to the quarter finals, pinning every opponent, before having to withdraw due to injury, resulting in a sixth-place finish.

Also competing in the tournament were Tyler Schwendiman of South Jordan, 10 and Under 69 lbs., and Justin Schwendiman of West Jordan, 12 and Under 70 lbs.

In the team competition, Mountain Top finished fourth in both the 6-12 and Under competition and the 15-18 and Under divisions.

"This was a great experience for the kids," said Coach Bill Kilpack (Jr.). "Some took some lumps at this level of competition, but grew from it, improving in later matches. That sort of improvement and development is what makes all this time and effort worth it."

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.