Feb. 4, 2008: Wrestling USA Magazine

2008 Intermountain Champion Series Doubles in Size

In its second year, the Intermountain Champion Series has doubled in size, adding two more tournaments in Idaho and Utah: the Box Elder Tournament in Brigham City, Uta., and the Kuna Classic, in Kuna, Ida.

"It's really exciting to see tournament directors showing so much interest," said series co-founder Bill Kilpack of Sandy, Utah-based Mountain Top Wrestling Club. "It's great to see so many wanting to go the extra mile to recognize kids in the Intermountain West."

The Box Elder tournament is one of the biggest freestyle and Greco-Roman tournaments in Utah, as is the Kuna Classic in Idaho. They will join the ranks of the Idaho Express Invitational in Meridian, Ida., and the Mountain Top Classic which, this year, will be held in Murray, Uta. The Idaho Express Invitational and Mountain Top Classic are two of the largest freestyle and Greco-Roman tournaments in the Intermountain West.

"We're continuing with our plan to start small and build each year," said co-founder Lani Wall of Meridian, Idaho-based Idaho Express Wrestling Club. "Last year, we recognized one Intermountain Champion in each age division. This year, we're recognizing two, breaking up each age division into upper and lower weights. The kids really were wowed by the awards we put together for them."

To be eligible for the Intermountain Champion Series awards, athletes must participate in at least two of the four tournaments. Points are awarded for placing first through sixth, as well as being named an Outstanding Wrestler or receiving an award for Fastest Pin.

In its first year of existence, the Intermountain Champion Series recognized seven Intermountain Champions:

• Jaxon Moore of Pleasant Grove, Uta., for the Flyweight/Pre-Bantam Division
• Jed Lee of Draper, Uta., for the Bantam Division
• Matt Lee of Draper, Uta., for the Midget Division
• William Kilpack of Sandy, Uta., for the Novice Division
• Jacob Falk of West Jordan, Uta., for the Schoolboy Division
• Carson Kuhn of Sandy, Uta., for the Cadet Division
• Kirk Smith of Boise, Ida., for the Junior Division

The Intermountain Champion Series was created to recognized the finest wrestlers in the Intermountain West. The goal is to give freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestlers similar opportunities through USA Wrestling-sanctioned tournaments as are offered in a lot of big private folkstyle tournaments held around the country.

All tournaments in the Intermountain Champion Series are sanctioned through USA Wrestling, and offer both freestyle and Greco-Roman competition. For more information, go to www.IntermountainChampion.com or call (801) 641-9832.