|
Dec.
31, 2007: Wrestling USA
Magazine
Mountain Top Wrestlers Take 14 Awards at the Salt Lake
Slam
(Sandy, Utah) Twenty-three Mountain Top Wrestling Club
members competed in the USA Wrestling Salt Lake Slam
folkstyle wrestling tournament held at the Salt Palace
Dec. 29, 2007. Of those 23 athletes, 14 came away with
awards, including five who made it to the finals, and one
champion. The tournament is one of four legs of the USA
Wrestling Tour of America Series, and hosted top athletes
ranging from age 4 to 14. The team took one division
championship, and finished in the Top 10 in all but one
age division. The Slam was a tough tournament," said
Coach Bill Kilpack (III). "Since it was USA
Wrestling-sanctioned, it shifted the age groups, which had
an impact, but they would all be wrestling there in the
spring, anyway. We had some who really showed their stuff,
showing significant improvement over past weeks. It was
really exciting to see." Leading the way was 9-year-old
Sean Keating of South Jordan. He won the Midget (9 and 10
years old) 80-pound division, pinning every opponent but
one, and that one he beat by technical fall (gaining a
15-point lead).
"Sean's toughest match was his first of the day,"
Kilpack said. "He won it 17-2, but he just couldn't pin
the kid. The way that match went, it was really a tribute
to both wrestlers' guts and heart." Also making it to
the finals were four other wrestlers: 6-year-old Mason
Christiansen of Riverton, Bantam (ages 7 and 8) 56 lbs.;
6-year-old Justyn Ribald of West Jordan, Bantam 65 lbs.;
8-year-old Derek Fisher of Lindon, Midget (ages 9 and 10)
50 lbs.; and 12-year-old Zayne Sayers of Sandy, Middle
School (ages 13 and 14) 160 lbs. Each finished in
runner-up positions. Taking third-place trophies were
10-year-old Tayler Johnson of Draper, Novice (ages 11 and
12) 80 lbs.; 11-year-old Derek Spachman of Saratoga
Springs, Novice 90 lbs.; and 13-year-old Jake Ribald of
West Jordan, Middle School 128 lbs. Winning fourth-place
medals was 6-year-old Spencer Maxwell of Sandy, Bantam 56
lbs. Taking fifth was 13-year-old Tyler Jensen of West
Valley City, Middle School 70 lbs. Taking sixth place
were four wrestlers: 6-year-old Garrick Kilpack of Sandy,
Bantam 44 lbs.; 10-year-old Tyler Schwendiman of South
Jordan, Novice 70 lbs.; 12-year-old Joey Day of Sandy,
Middle School 77 lbs.; and 12-year-old William Kilpack of
Sandy, Middle School 98 lbs., who had to withdraw, due to
injury.
"Joey Day and Spencer Maxwell had exciting tournaments,"
Kilpack said. "This was the first time each of them placed
at a tournament at this level. Last year, Joey was
recognized as one of the team's Most Improved wrestlers,
and it's continuing to play out this season. Spencer is
making just as much progress, particularly in being able
to hear the coaches and respond before the opening is
gone." In the team competition, Mountain Top was the
Bantam Division Champion; finished third in the Midget
Division; and finished fourth in the Middle School
Division. Also competing in the tournament were
9-year-old Siondileigh Kilpack of Sandy, Midget 55 lbs.;
9-year-old Spencer Westover of Sandy, Midget 65 lbs.;
10-year-old Carter McMillan of West Jordan, Novice 65
lbs.; 11-year-old Alex Maxwell of Sandy, Novice 70 lbs.;
11-year-old Addison Day of Sandy, Novice 75 lbs.;
11-year-old MacKelti Kilpack of Sandy, Novice 80 lbs.;
12-year-old Nick Hulbert of Salt Lake City, Middle School
112 lbs.; 13-year-old Rami Haddadin of Sandy, Middle
School 84 lbs.; 13-year-old Rami Haddadin of Sandy, Middle
School 84 lbs.; and 13-year-old Jacob Westover of Sandy,
Middle School 98 lbs. 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.
|
|