Wrestling USA Magazine, Utah Wrestling News: March 2004

Jordan Freestyle Wrestling Takes 19 Medals
at Wasatch Season Opener

(Sandy, Utah) March 1, 2004 - Jordan Freestyle Wrestling made the trip up to Heber City for the season opener of the freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling season at an open tournament at Wasatch High School Feb. 27-28, 2004, and took 19 medals between the three styles: folkstyle, freestyle and Greco-Roman. Three of the 10 competitors in the folkstyle tournament held Friday night brought home medals; five of the six competitors in Saturday morning's Greco-Roman competition earned medals; and 11 of the 22 competitors in the freestyle tournament Saturday afternoon 19 placed.

"It was a great way to start the season," said Jordan Freestyle Wrestling Coach Bill Kilpack (III). "We have a huge number of new first-year wrestlers this year, and this was a real test to see how they've progressed so far this season. There was a very competitive crowd that came to compete, including teams from Idaho, Nevada and Wyoming. We're very proud of how the guys performed, applying the skills they've been developing since we started practicing. There was a lot of character shown on the mat, both when they won, and when they lost hard-fought matches."

Of the 11 freestyle medals earned, Jordan Freestyle Wrestling team members took four gold. Wesly Orton of Midvale, Midget (ages 9 and 10) 50 lbs., won his championship match by fall; first-year wrestler Helaman Suesue of Salt Lake City, Flyweight (ages 6 and under) 50 lbs., won his championship match by decision with a score of 10-4. Tennessee Suesue of Salt Lake City, Midget 103 lbs. and Chase Hansen of Clearfield, Cadet (ages 15 and 16) 171 lbs., also won gold.

Winning silver were seven competitors. Skylar Orton of Midvale, Flyweight 40 lbs, won his silver-medal match by decision with a score of 9-2. First-year wrestler Riley Tatum of West Jordan, Flyweight 40 lbs., won his silver-medal match by decision, with a score of 10-6. First-year wrestler Tayler Johnson of Draper, Bantam (ages 7 and 8) 55 lbs., won his second-place match by fall. Robert Hinnen of West Jordan, Bantam 50 lbs., won his second-place match by fall. Austan Hinnen of West Jordan, Bantam 55 lbs., won his second-place match by fall. Alec Armstrong of Sandy, Midget 87 lbs., won his second-place match by fall. And Jesse Farnsworth of Clearfield, Cadet 215 lbs., also took silver.

Taking freestyle bronze was first-year wrestler Wyly Melton of Sandy, Flyweight 40 lbs.

Of the five Greco-Roman tournament medals earned, one was gold, earned by Alec Armstrong, Midget 87 lbs. Taking silver were William Kilpack of Sandy, Midget 60 lbs., and Wesly Orton, Midget 50 lbs. Taking bronze was Matthew Findlay of Draper, Midget 50 lbs. And taking a fourth-place bronze was Ray Hinnen of West Jordan, Midget 70 lbs.

Of the three folkstyle medals earned, two were gold, earned by Wesly Orton, Midget 50 lbs., and Alec Armstrong, Midget 87 lbs. Tayler Johnson, Bantam 55 lbs., took bronze.

Also competing from Jordan Freestyle Wrestling in the freestyle tournament were Matthew Lee of Draper, Bantam 45 lbs.; Damen Melton of Sandy, Bantam 45 lbs.; Matthew Findlay, Midget 55 lbs.; William Kilpack, Midget 60 lbs.; and Courtney Anderson of Riverton, Novice 85 lbs.

Also competing in both freestyle and Greco-Roman was Bryson Anderson of Riverton, Schoolboy 85 lbs.

Also competing in both freestyle and folkstyle were Devin Johnson of Draper, Flyweight 40 lbs.; Kyler Machan of West Jordan, Midget 55 lbs.; and Tyler Schwendiman of South Jordan, Bantam 45 lbs.

Also competing in folkstyle were Jason Nelson of Sandy, Bantam 45 lbs. and Taylor Weaver of South Jordan, Schoolboy 100 lbs.

"There were several who just missed out on earning medals by seconds," said Coach Bill Kilpack (Jr.). "That's the sort of thing that makes wrestling such an intensive sport. We had a lot of first-year kids proving themselves against opponents who are champions. Those matches are as important a part of going to these tournaments as anything. The kids are all doing very well."

Jordan Freestyle Wrestling is open to kids ages four and older who live anywhere in the State of Utah. Practices are held three days a week from 5:30-7 p.m. at Jordan High School. The membership cost is $30, and wrestlers wanting to compete in tournaments on the weekends are required to purchase a USA Wrestling card. For more information, call 641-9832, e-mail jordanfreestyle@aol.com or visit Jordan Freestyle Wrestling on the Worldwide Web at http://members.aol.com/jordanfreestyle/.

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