December 2004: Wrestling USA Magazine

Jordan Freestyle Wrestling Changes Name, Storms Into 2005 Season

(Sandy, Utah) Dec. 15, 2004 34 Jordan Freestyle Wrestling has changed its name to Mountain Top Wrestling Club, and will enter into its first season with the new monniker in the 2005 freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling season. Practices will begin Jan. 24, still at Jordan High School. Returning to coach the team for the fifth straight year are Bill Kilpack (III), a national AAU wrestling champion and alternate for the Greco-Roman Pan-Am team; his father, Bill Kilpack (Jr.), one of the original coaches of the much lauded Sundance Wrestling Club; and Chris Babinski, the Jordan High School wrestling coach. Officially joining the coaching staff this season are Wes Machan, Utah's first world champion in Greco-Roman wrestling; Toby Orton, a varsity wrestler from Fidalgo Island, Wash.; and Derek Jensen, a two-time member of the All-Marine wrestling team.

"Last year was a amazing year," said Kilpack (III). "We had a whole new wave of kids, making the club about 90 percent first-year wrestlers. Nonetheless, we still averaged 24 or so kids at tournaments, which was one of the most of any of the teams there. We also took home 24 medals and three state titles at the state tournament, placed three out of five kids at the Western Regional Championships, and two out of eight at the Reno World Championships. We weren't sure how things would go, with so many new wrestlers and families, but it was a real pleasure. We have as strong a core group as ever, with more parental support than ever, coming down from as far as Clearfield and up from as far as Spanish Fork. We're going to host our own tournament this year, the Mountain Top Classic, and that will just add to the high expectations we have for this season."

Among the team's accomplishments last season are three state champions, seven state silver medalists, five state bronze medalists, and eight athletes placing fourth through sixth. In addition, team members were awarded 11 championships at the Utah Summer Games, and five silver medals. At the Western Regional Championships, two were awarded silver medals, two more bronze medals, and still two more were awarded for placements from fourth to sixth. In addition, one was awarded a tournament Most Pins in Least Time Award, two earned Fastest Pin Trophies, and the team came away with three 2nd place team trophies, two in Wyoming and one in Colorado.

Mountain Top Wrestling Club will compete in open tournaments throughout Utah and will supplement the in-state schedule with tournaments in Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado and Nevada. In addition, the team will return to compete in the Western Regional Championships, return to the Reno World Championships, and make their second showing at Kids Nationals in Wisconsin. The traveling is important because it allows the wrestlers to get more mat time during the freestyle/Greco-Roman season, provides them folkstyle experience before reaching high school, and provides new opponents who they have not met week after week. Just as importantly, the travel provides a reward for the wrestlers' hard work and the support of their families.

Kilpack (Jr.) said, "The wrestling trips make the season that much more fun. The kids wrestle, then stay in a hotel after and play in the pool. Last year, they were swimming in a super warm pool while it was snowing. I can't imagine that anyone had ever done that before. Following the tournaments, we usually take over a restaurant and have a good time. It's not only a reward for the kids, but for their families. Wrestling is a family sport. Every successful wrestler has a strong family behind him. There are a lot of practices and early weigh-ins for tournaments every weekend for several months. It's tough and takes dedication from the kids as well as their parents. Traveling gives everyone a little more from their wrestling experience and, this year, hitting some of the big tournaments will make it all that much more of an experience they'll remember all their lives."

In five seasons, Jordan Freestyle Wrestling (now Mountain Top Wrestling Club), has produced one All-American, 21 state champions, three undefeated wrestlers over the course of a season, seven placers at the Western Regional Championships, two placers at the Reno World Championships, and one representative on the Utah National Team.

This year's coaching staff has a long and successful wrestling history.

Kilpack (III) of Sandy was an original member of the Sundance Wrestling Club, arguably the finest freestyle/Greco-Roman wrestling team in Utah history. As a competitor, he garnered an AAU national championship, seven national silver medals, seven more national medals, and was a member of the Pan-Am team in Greco-Roman wrestling holding an alternate position. In addition, he was named AAU All-America multiple times in both freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling, and spent many years helping coach younger Sundance teammates.

Kilpack (Jr.) of West Jordan was one of the two original coaches of the Sundance Wrestling Club, and a member of the University of Utah wrestling team. Sundance was arguably the finest freestyle/Greco-Roman wrestling team in Utah history, producing the first two world champions from Utah, and dozens of other international and national honors. He was also a member of the University of Utah wrestling team.

Machan of West Jordan was the first Utah wrestler in the state's history to win a World Championship, winning it in Greco-Roman wrestling. He was an original member of the Sundance Wrestling Club, where the second world champion in Utah history also rose from the Sundance ranks. Machan qualified for the world team twice, although he was only able to compete the time he won the title. In addition to his world championship, he was a three-time AAU national champion, twice in Greco-Roman and once in freestyle, and a three-time national bronze medalist, twice in freestyle and once in Greco-Roman.

Orton of Midvale was a varsity wrestler at Anacortes High School in Fidalgo Island, Washington. It was during this time that he came to appreciate the competitive nature of wrestling and other sports. As an adult, he has coached community sports such as wrestling, soccer and a championship baseball team.

Jensen of West Valley City was a varsity letterman all three years of high school at Hunter High School, was a Utah Summer Games champion, a Region champion, a two-time freestyle state champ, and competed at nationals as a senior in high school. Following high school, he was a member of the wrestling team at Palo Mar College in California before joining the military, where he was twice named to the All-Marine Wrestling Team.

Babinski has coached wrestling, football and track at Jordan High School for 14 years, where he has produced one high school All-American, a one-year team record of 24-1, and two athletes who advanced to collegiate competition. Babinski also developed Utah's first 5A dual state championship tournament, where 17 of the 22 5A competed to determine the dual meet state champions. He has served as the Utah representative in the National Wrestling Coaches Association for the past eight years.

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 educating regarding 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 from 5:30­7 p.m. at Jordan High School. For more information, call 641-9832, e-mail coach@mountaintopwrestling.com or visit them on the Worldwide Web at http://www.mountaintopwrestling.com.