June 2004: Wrestling USA Magazine

Twenty-Eight Utah Grapplers Take Greco-Roman Honors in Western Regional Championships

Twenty-eight Utah wrestlers have fought their way through the third largest Greco-Roman wrestling tournament in the country, placing in the top six at the Western Regional Championships June 23,Äì24, 2004, at the Winnemucca Event Center.

"I am very pleased with the way our athletes performed," said Craig LaMont, Kids Director for USA Wrestling Utah.  "Utah has strong Greco-Roman programs throughout the state, with higher numbers than our neighbors.  That we've placed 28 out of 75 competitors shows just how important that Greco-Roman mat time can be."

Of the 28 Utahns placing in Greco-Roman, 14 were in championship matches. Of those 14, three emerged with the gold, all from Salt Lake City-based Specialized Wrestling Club.  Champions include

• Carson Kuhn, Novice (ages 11 and 12) 65 lbs.

• Jason Chamberlain, Schoolboy (ages 13 and 14) 100 lbs.

• Matthew Brown, Schoolboy 105 lbs.

The 11 Utah silver medalists include

• Bryce Jackman, Price-based Raptors, Midget (ages 9 and 10) 55 lbs.

• William Kilpack, Sandy-based Jordan Freestyle Wrestling, Midget 60 lbs.

• Austin Swenson, Jordan Freestyle Wrestling, Midget 75 lbs.

• Nick Sorenson, Brigham City-based Stingers Wrestling Club, Midget 80 lbs.

• Logan Wisener, Roosevelt Wrestling Club, Midget 87 lbs.

• Kade Moss, Schoolboy 70 lbs.

• Collin Grant, Specialized Wrestling Club, Schoolboy 95 lbs.

• Matthew Fairbrother Specialized Wrestling Club, Schoolboy 250 lbs.

• Shay Warren, North Ogden-based Weber Freestyle Wrestling Club, Cadet (ages 15 and 16) 112 lbs.

• KC Nate, Specialized Wrestling Club, Cadet 125 lbs.

• Nate Carter, St. George-based Team Extreme, Cadet 171 lbs.

The remaining 14 medalists won third, fourth, fifth and sixth-place bronze medals.

Taking third-place medals were

• Tyler Jensen, Jordan Freestyle Wrestling, Midget 50 lbs.

• Brandon George, Specialized Wrestling Club, Midget 60 lbs.

• Rasten Yeates, Stingers Wrestling Club, Midget 65 lbs.

• Ryker Vandertoolen, Specialized Wrestling Club, Schoolboy 80 lbs.

• Ethan Bottorff, Kaysville-based Elite Wrestling Club, Schoolboy 110 lbs.

• Mitch Moss, Specialized Wrestling Club, Cadet 98 lbs.

• Luke Rasmussen, Specialized Wrestling Club, Cadet 125 lbs.

Taking a fourth-place medal was Derek Malan, Weber Freestyle Wrestling Club, Schoolboy 80 lbs.  Taking fifth-place medals were Shand Hardy, Stingers Wrestling Club, Midget 55 lbs.; D. Matthew Vierkant, Springville-based Champions Wrestling Club, Midget 75 lbs.; and Jacob Thompson, Logan Wrestling Club, Midget 87 lbs.  Taking sixth-place medals were Braxton Vandertoolen, Specialized Wrestling Club, Novice 60 lbs., and Cole Shafer, Specialized Wrestling Club, Cadet 135 lbs.

Utah wrestlers are currently competing in freestyle at the Western Regional Championships.  Midget, Novice and Schoolboy competitors qualify for the Kids National Championships to be held in Menonomie, Wis., next week.