The Wrestling Mall, High School News: Oct. 24, 2005

Mountain Top Wrestling Members Clinch 13 Medals, 1st Place Team
at Gladiator World Championships

(Sandy, Utah) - Fifteen Mountain Top Wrestling Club (formerly Jordan Freestyle Wrestling) members competed in the Gladiator World Championships folkstyle wrestling tournament held Oct 21_22, 2005, at the McKay Event Center on the UVSC campus. Of the 15 competitors, 13 placed; six received Outstanding Sportsmanship Awards; and the team was named the 1st Place In-State Team in the 6-12 and Under division.

"This was a great tournament for the guys," said Coach Bill Kilpack (III). "The first of the Rocky Mountain Nationals series, we got together for five weeks, practiced hard, and came out ready to go. William and Brigg lost killer one-point decisions that kept them out of the finals, but they kept their heads and fought through the consolation bracket to finish third. The competition was extremely tough, but all the guys stepped up and wrestled their guts out."

Three athletes came away with 2nd place trophies: 6-year-old Devin Johnson of Draper, 6 and Under 46 lbs., his brother, 8-year-old Tayler, 8 and Under 62 lbs.; and 11-year-old Brayden Schwendiman of South Jordan, 12 and Under 62 lbs.

Four wrestlers earned 3rd place trophies: 7-year-old Riley Tatum of West Jordan, 8 and Under 46 lbs.; 10-year-old Brigg Butler of Saratoga Springs, 10 and Under 69 lbs.; 10-year-old William Kilpack of Sandy, 10 and Under 73 lbs.; and 14-yrear-old Josh Davis of Sandy, 15 and Under 88 lbs.

One young athlete took a 4th place medal: 8-year-old Taylor Kump of Herriman, 8 and Under 58 lbs.

Three wrestlers took 5th place medals: 7-year-old Tia Kump of Herriman, 8 and Under 42 lbs.; 10-year-old Hayden Butler of Saratoga Springs, 8 and Under 50 lbs.; and Tyler Schwendiman of South Jordan, 8 and Under 54 lbs.

Two wrestlers took 6th place medals: 4-year-old Garrick Kilpack of Sandy, 6 and Under 37 lbs.; and 10-year-old Kyler Machan of West Jordan, 10 and Under 61 lbs.

These accomplishments accumulated points for Mountain Top Wrestling Club in the team competition for the 6-12 and Under age division, earning the club the 1st Place In-State Team Trophy.

"This was very exciting for us, to take a first Place Team Trophy at a national tournament like this," said Kilpack. "Particularly how it happened. They announced that we took second, and the Champions-Diamondbacks coach, Craig LaMont, after receiving the award, realized that the score tabulated for his team just didn't make sense. So he recalculated the numbers himself, made a phone call, and discovered that his team had received credit for some wrestlers who were not on his team. So he called me, explained the problem, and told me that we were the legitimate winners. So he gave the award to us. That was a very upstanding thing to do, and we really respect him for standing up for what was right."

In addition to these victories, six wrestlers were recognized for their sportsmanship on the mat. These wrestlers were awarded Outstanding Sportsmanship Awards by the mat official following one of their matches, Kilpack said, "for wrestling hard, not giving up, maintaining a positive attitude and, in general, being a good example for others in the sport." Receiving these awards were Garrick Kilpack, Tia Kump, Hayden Butler, Justin Schwendiman of West Jordan, Brayden Schwendiman and Josh Davis.

Justin Schwendiman competed in 10 and Under 61 lbs.; also competing was Dylan Carlson of Kearns, 15 and Under 123 lbs.

"This was a good experience," said Coach Bill Kilpack (Jr.). "And I certainly hope that we get to see more tournaments like this in Utah ... ones that attract such high-caliber athletes, as well as exposing more talented Utah athletes to a more national audience. We're very proud of the kids."

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 5:30–8 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 www.mountaintopwrestling.com.

Return to Articles