Mountain Top Wrestling Club Takes 19 Awards, One Outstanding Wrestler at Idaho Express Invitational

(Sandy, Utah) March 12, 2007 ¾ Mountain Top Wrestling Club members traveled up to Boise, Ida., to compete in the Idaho Express Invitational wrestling tournament, where the freestyle and Greco-Roman competitions will constitute the first two legs of the Intermountain Champion Series.  Twelve Utah athletes competed, earning 19 awards and one being recognized as an Outstanding Wrestler.

“This was a great tournament,” said Coach Bill Kilpack (III).  “We got to meet some new faces, and every one of the wrestlers really took it to them.  It was really impressive to see some of them take some hard matches and rise to the occasion, pulling out some really gutty wins.”

In the freestyle tournament, of the 12 competing, 11 received awards, including four champions: brothers Garrick and William Kilpack of Sandy, Garrick at Pre-Bantam (ages 6 and Under) 45 lbs., and William at Novice (ages 11 and 12) 90 lbs.; Braden Henson of Salt Lake City, Flyweight 45 lbs.; and Matt Lee of Draper, Midget (ages 9 and 10) 60 lbs.

All four won their championship matches by way of fall and, in the Novice division, William was named the Outstanding Wrestler for the age group.

Winning silver medals were three athletes: Jed Lee of Draper, Bantam (ages 7 and 8) 45 lbs.; Addison Day of Sandy, Midget 65 lbs.; and Justin Schwendiman of West Jordan, Novice 65 lbs. 

Taking fourth-place awards were two athletes: Christopher Smith of Murray, Flyweight 55 lbs.; and Tavish Sandness of West Jordan, Schoolboy (ages 13 and 14) 115 lbs.

Winning fifth was Tait Sandess of West Jordan, Schoolboy 115 lbs.

Taking sixth was Joey Day of Sandy, Novice 70 lbs.

In the Greco-Roman tournament, eight athletes competed, and all eight placed.  Winning championships were Schwendiman, Novice 65 lbs., and William Kilpack, Novice 90 lbs.

Taking silver medals were three wrestlers: Matt Lee, Midget 60 lbs.; Addison Day, Midget 65 lbs.; and Tait Sandness, Schoolboy 115 lbs.

Earning third-place honors in Greco-Roman was Tavish Sandness, Schoolboy 115 lbs.

Taking fifth place was Joey Day, Novice 70 lbs.; and taking sixth was MacKelti Kilpack, Novice 70 lbs.

"This was a great tournament for the kids," said Coach Bill Kilpack (Jr.) said.  "The trips are always a lot of fun.  Doing as well as they did just makes it all the more rewarding."

Also competing in the freestyle tournament was MacKelti Kilpack, Novice 70 lbs.

This tournament's two competitions made up the first two legs of the Intermountain Champion Series.  As a result, brothers Garrick and William Kilpack, brothers Jed and Matt Lee, Braden Henson and Addison Day are "all frontrunners toward being named an Intermountain Champion," Kilpack said.  "It will be exciting to see how things go at the Mountain Top Classic in a couple weeks."

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 educating regarding 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 in two sessions, three days a week from 5:30–8 p.m. 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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