Wrestling USA Magazine: Dec. 31, 2007

Mountain Top Wrestlers Take 14 Awards at the Salt Lake Slam

(Sandy, Utah) Twenty-three Mountain Top Wrestling Club members competed in the USA Wrestling Salt Lake Slam folkstyle wrestling tournament held at the Salt Palace Dec. 29, 2007. Of those 23 athletes, 14 came away with awards, including five who made it to the finals, and one champion. The tournament is one of four legs of the USA Wrestling Tour of America Series, and hosted top athletes ranging from age 4 to 14. The team took one division championship, and finished in the Top 10 in all but one age division.

“The Slam was a tough tournament," said Coach Bill Kilpack (III). "Since it was USA Wrestling-sanctioned, it shifted the age groups, which had an impact, but they would all be wrestling there in the spring, anyway. We had some who really showed their stuff, showing significant improvement over past weeks. It was really exciting to see."

Leading the way was 9-year-old Sean Keating of South Jordan. He won the Midget (9 and 10 years old) 80-pound division, pinning every opponent but one, and that one he beat by technical fall (gaining a 15-point lead).

"Sean's toughest match was his first of the day," Kilpack said. "He won it 17-2, but he just couldn't pin the kid. The way that match went, it was really a tribute to both wrestlers' guts and heart."

Also making it to the finals were four other wrestlers: 6-year-old Mason Christiansen of Riverton, Bantam (ages 7 and 8) 56 lbs.; 6-year-old Justyn Ribald of West Jordan, Bantam 65 lbs.; 8-year-old Derek Fisher of Lindon, Midget (ages 9 and 10) 50 lbs.; and 12-year-old Zayne Sayers of Sandy, Middle School (ages 13 and 14) 160 lbs. Each finished in runner-up positions.

Taking third-place trophies were 10-year-old Tayler Johnson of Draper, Novice (ages 11 and 12) 80 lbs.; 11-year-old Derek Spachman of Saratoga Springs, Novice 90 lbs.; and 13-year-old Jake Ribald of West Jordan, Middle School 128 lbs.

Winning fourth-place medals was 6-year-old Spencer Maxwell of Sandy, Bantam 56 lbs.

Taking fifth was 13-year-old Tyler Jensen of West Valley City, Middle School 70 lbs.

Taking sixth place were four wrestlers: 6-year-old Garrick Kilpack of Sandy, Bantam 44 lbs.; 10-year-old Tyler Schwendiman of South Jordan, Novice 70 lbs.; 12-year-old Joey Day of Sandy, Middle School 77 lbs.; and 12-year-old William Kilpack of Sandy, Middle School 98 lbs., who had to withdraw, due to injury.

"Joey Day and Spencer Maxwell had exciting tournaments," Kilpack said. "This was the first time each of them placed at a tournament at this level. Last year, Joey was recognized as one of the team's Most Improved wrestlers, and it's continuing to play out this season. Spencer is making just as much progress, particularly in being able to hear the coaches and respond before the opening is gone."

In the team competition, Mountain Top was the Bantam Division Champion; finished third in the Midget Division; and finished fourth in the Middle School Division.

Also competing in the tournament were 9-year-old Siondileigh Kilpack of Sandy, Midget 55 lbs.; 9-year-old Spencer Westover of Sandy, Midget 65 lbs.; 10-year-old Carter McMillan of West Jordan, Novice 65 lbs.; 11-year-old Alex Maxwell of Sandy, Novice 70 lbs.; 11-year-old Addison Day of Sandy, Novice 75 lbs.; 11-year-old MacKelti Kilpack of Sandy, Novice 80 lbs.; 12-year-old Nick Hulbert of Salt Lake City, Middle School 112 lbs.; 13-year-old Rami Haddadin of Sandy, Middle School 84 lbs.; 13-year-old Rami Haddadin of Sandy, Middle School 84 lbs.; and 13-year-old Jacob Westover of Sandy, Middle School 98 lbs.

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. Practices are held three days a week 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.

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