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Jan. 15, 2008: The Wrestling Mall

Jordan Junior Wrestlers Power Into Woods Cross

(Sandy, Utah) Jan. 13, 2008 — Twenty-seven members of Jordan Junior Wrestling traveled to Woods Cross to compete in the Woods Cross K–9 Folkstyle Wrestling Tournament held at Woods Cross High School. Of those 27, 23 placed, including nine champions and 14 in the finals.

“This was the first tournament after the holidays, and it really showed how hungry they guys were ton get back on the mat,” said Coach Bill Kilpack (III). “They pulled out some tough, and plowed through some opponents, too. Their technique is really starting to help them get the edge on their opponents as the season progresses.”

Winning championships were nine athletes: six on the junior high/middle school team and three on the elementary team. Leading the junior high/middle team champions were four athletes who each pinned every opponent: 12-year-old Joey Day of Sandy, who wrestled in the Junior High Advanced 76-pound bracket; 13-year-old Rami Haddadin of Sandy, who wrestled in the Junior High Advanced 86-pound bracket; 12-year-old William Kilpack of Sandy, Junior High Advanced 108 lbs.; and 13-year-old Jake Ribald of West Jordan, Junior High Advanced 128 lbs. Leading the elementary school team by pinning every opponent was 6-year-old Garrick Kilpack of Sandy, who wrestled in the 1st Grade 45-pound bracket.

"There was some real excitement in a couple of these weights," Coach Kilpack said. "At 76 pounds, Joey wrestled his little brother, Addison, in the finals. At 86 pounds, all four of the wrestlers in the championship bracket in the semi-finals were from Jordan and, after those who lost in those matchups wrestled back for placement, all four who medaled were still from our club. Pretty exciting!"

Also winning gold medals were 10-year-old Tyler Schwendiman of South Jordan, Junior High Advanced 70 lbs.; 11-year-old Derek Spachman of Saratoga Springs, Junior High Advanced 90 lbs.; 9-year-old Siondileigh Kilpack of Sandy, 3rd Grade 55 lbs.; and Spencer Maxwell of Sandy, 1st Grade 55 lbs.

Taking silver medals were five athletes: 10-year-old Addison Day of Sandy, Junior High Advanced 76 lbs.; 13-year-old Kevin Maxwell of Sandy, Junior High Advanced 86 lbs.; 8-year-old Derek Fisher of Lindon, 3rd Grade 50 lbs.; 7-year-old Justyn Ribald of West Jordan, 2nd Grade 65 lbs.; and 6-year-old Jefferson Harbaugh of South Jordan, 1st Grade 50 lbs.

Placing third were four athletes: 12-year-old Justin Schwendiman of West Jordan, Junior High Advanced 65 lbs.; 12-year-old Matt Findlay of Draper, Junior High Advanced 86 lbs.; 13-year-old Mitch Nazer of Sandy, Junior High Advanced 96 lbs.; and 6-year-old Mason Christiansen of Riverton, 1st Grade 55 lbs.

Placing fourth were five young wrestlers: 10-year-old Alex Maxwell of Sandy, Junior High Advanced 70 lbs.; 11-year-old MacKelti Kilpack of Sandy, Junior High Advanced 86 lbs.; 12-year-old Zayne Sayers of Sandy, Junior High Advanced 170 lbs.; 9-year-old Cameron Gonzales of Sandy, 4th Grade 70 lbs.; and 8-year-old Jordan Harbaugh of South Jordan, 2nd Grade 55 lbs.

Also competing were Rylan Kramer of Riverton, in his first tournament ever, at Junior High Advanced 65 lbs.; Clayton Moss of Sandy, Junior High Advanced 104 lbs.; Nick Hulbert of Salt Lake City, Junior High Advacned 112 lbs.; and Ella-Maereen Kilpack of Sandy, Junior High Advanced 120 lbs.

"There was some real growth this week," said Coach Jake Ribald. "It's great to see how the things we drill over and over at practice show when the kids are out there on the mat."

Jordan Junior Wrestling is a folkstyle wrestling program offered through Salt Lake County Recreation, operating out or Jordan High School in Sandy. For more information, go to http://members.aol.com/jordanjuniors/ or email jordanjuniors@aol.com.