Jordan Junior Wrestlers Place 11,
Take 6th at State Championships

(Sandy, Utah) Jan. 28, 2008 — Twenty members of Jordan Junior Wrestling entered the 4A/5A Junior High State Championships held at Mt. View High School in Orem.  Of those 20, 11 placed, including three in the finals.

“This was a good showing of how much the guys have grown since last season,” said Coach Bill Kilpack (III). “We placed three more than last year, and were one match away from taking fifth.  Had the wind been blowing a little different that day, we might have three more placers, but you can't win them all.  I'm very proud of them for their accomplishments.”

Winning a state championship was 13-year-old Jake Ribald of West Jordan, in the 124-pound division.  He led the team, pinning every opponent, including his championship match, where he won by fall in the second round.

Also making it to the finals were brothers Cody and Tyler Jensen of West Valley City.  Twelve-year-old Cody wrestled in the 60-pound bracket and, although he fell short in the finals, he finished with a win, defending his silver medal in the challenge for true second match.  Thirteen-year-old Tyler wrestled in the 75-pound bracket, maintaining a lead through the entire match, until a last-second reversal took the lead and the championship.

"There was some real excitement in these weights," Coach Derek Jensen said.  "Tyler got to pay back one opponent who beat him in overtime last year, and really showed his stuff, despite that last-second loss.  And Cody, I'm just amazed at how much improvement he's made since last season, when he finished fifth.  Pretty exciting!"

Also winning a silver by winning his challenge for true-second match was 12-year-old Zayne Sayers of Sandy, in the 165-pound bracket.  "That win was well deserved," Kilpack said.  "Zayne finally got to beat his nemesis.  I can't even tell you how many times this kid came out ahead over the past two or three years.  But, this year, Zayne just took it to him, and came away with a very satisfying win, 16-8."

Taking a bronze medal was 12-year-old William Kilpack of Sandy at 105 lbs.

Finishing fourth were 12-year-old Matt Findlay of Draper, at 86 lbs.; 11-year-old Clayton Moss of Sandy, at 100 lbs.; and 12-year-old Nick Hulbert of Salt Lake City at 112 lbs.

Taking fifth were 13-year-old Rami Haddadin at 85 lbs.; and 10-year-old Derek Spachman of Saratoga Springs at 90 lbs.

Finishing sixth was 10-year-old Tayler Johnson of Draper at 76 lbs.

Jordan Junior Wrestling finished sixth at a team in the Middle School Division.

Also competing were Rylan Kramer of Riverton, at 65 lbs.; Justin Schwendiman of West Jordan, at 65 lbs., before having to withdraw with an injury; Alex Maxwell of Sandy at 70 lbs.; Addison Day of Sandy, 73 lbs.; Bronzon Battaglia of Sandy, 83 lbs.; MacKelti Kilpack of Sandy, 83 lbs.; Kevin Maxwell of Sandy, 85 lbs.; Mitch Nazer of Sandy, 96 lbs.; and Ella-Maereen Kilpack of Sandy, 116 lbs.

"There was some real improvement this year over last," said Coach Jensen.  "It's great to see that kind of growth.  Not just on the mat, but in the kids as young men and women."

Jordan Junior Wrestling is a folkstyle wrestling program offered through Salt Lake County Recreation, operating out or Jordan High School in Sandy.  The middle school/junior high team is for grades five through nine; the elementary team is for grades four and younger.  For more information, go to http://members.aol.com/jordanjuniors/ or email jordanjuniors@aol.com.

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