Wrestling USA Magazine: April 20, 2007

Mountain Top Wrestling Club Takes 12 Medals, Fastest Pin at Green River Invitational

(Sandy, Utah) April 20, 2007 — Eight Mountain Top Wrestling Club members made the trip to Green River, Wyo., to compete in the Green River Invitational freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling tournament. Members earned 12 awards, a Fastest Pin trophy, and placed sixth as a team.

"This was a pretty amazing tournament," said Coach Bill Kilpack (III). "I don't think I've ever seen one run so well. The guys were on the mat wrestling about every 15 minutes, which is just unheard of. On top of that, they really got a chance to show what they can do, with new opponents they haven't been meeting every week. It was a great trip."

Leading the team was William Kilpack of Sandy, Novice (ages 11 and 12) 90 lbs., who earned gold medals in both styles, winning all matches by pin or technical superiority (gaining a six-point lead in two of three rounds), without allowing a single point to be scored against him.

Winning awards in freestyle were seven other young athletes. Taking silver were Christopher Smith of Murray, Flyweight (6 and Under) 55 lbs.; Tyler Schwendiman of South Jordan, Midget (ages 9 and 10) 65 lbs.; MacKelti Kilpack of Sandy, Novice 70 lbs.; and Tyler Jensen of West Valley City, Schoolboy (ages 13 and 14) 80 lbs.

Taking a bronze medal was Justin Schwendiman of West Jordan, Novice 65 lbs. In addition to this, he won a Fastest Pin trophy for having the quickest fall time of anyone in the Novice division.

Taking fourth was first-year wrestler Mason Christianson of Riverton, Flyweight 50 lbs.; and taking fifth in the largest weight bracket in the tournament was Garrick Kilpack of Sandy, Flyweight 45 lbs.

The team was sixth place in the team competition with only eight wrestlers on the competition roster. "It was pretty cool," Kilpack said. "They made the announcement saying, 'Not a lot of kids, but earning a whole lot of points ....' It was cool to be acknowledged like that."

In the Greco-Roman tournament, Mountain Top wrestlers earned three more awards. Taking gold were Tyler Schwendiman, Midget 65 lbs., and MacKelti Kilpack, Novice 70 lbs. Earning a bronze medal was Justin Schwendiman, Novice 65 lbs.

"This was a great experience trip," said Coach Bill Kilpack (Jr.) said. "The tournaments are always so well run in Wyoming, which is always appreciated by the team parents. And, the trips can be a little reward for the parents for all the support they show their kids during the season."

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 teaching 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. The program will start back up for the freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling season in late January. 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