Mountain Top Wrestling Club Takes 48 Awards, Outstanding Wrestler,
a Fastest Pin and Two Team Trophies at Mountain Top Classic

(Sandy, Utah) March 9, 2009 ¾ Thirty-five Mountain Top Wrestling Club members entered the Mountain Top Classic freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling tournament, the first leg of the 2009 Intermountain Champion Series, coming away with 48 awards, an Outstanding Wrestler trophy, a Fastest Pin trophy, and two third place Team Trophies.

“This was a great couple days,” said Coach Bill Kilpack (III).  “Hosting a tournament is always a challenge, particularly this year, with so many new parents and families, but they really stepped up and helped make it another good one.  We had our biggest turnout yet for Greco-Roman, with almost 215 wrestlers, and our second biggest turnout in freestyle, with almost 520.  It was a really great achievement.”

The team was led by five young athletes who earned gold medals in both styles, and one wrestler who not only won gold in both, but also was awarded an Outstanding Wrestler award for his age division and the Fastest Pin in the entire freestyle tournament.  Winning those medals and trophies was John Manning of Sandy, Intermediate (ages 9 and 10) 60 lbs.  In both tournament, he pinned or teched (achieving a six-point lead in two of three rounds) every opponent.  In freestyle, he received the Fastest Pin trophy for pinning an opponent in six seconds. 

Bill Manning, John's father, said, "John really wanted one of those trophies, so he pushed himself extra hard.  And he did it!"

The remaining four athletes who received gold in both styles are Christopher Smith of West Valley City, Flyweight (ages 6 and Under) 70 lbs.; Mason Christiansen of Riverton, Bantam (ages 7 and 8) 60 lbs.; Derek Fisher of Lindon, Intermediate 55 lbs.; and Ajax Revels of Riverton, Intermediate 103 lbs.  Revels pinned or teched every opponent in both tournaments, as well.

Also winning gold in freestyle were Will Haight of Sandy, Bantam 45 lbs., and Bryson Kimball of West Jordan, Novice (ages 11 and 12) 112 lbs.

Taking silver medals in the freestyle tournament were eight athletes: Tucker Butler of Saratoga Springs, Flyweight 40 lbs.; Joshua Millward of Lehi, Flyweight 45 lbs.; brothers Garrick and William Kilpack of Sandy, Garrick at Bantam 55 lbs. and William at Schoolboy (ages 13 and 14) 136 lbs.; brothers Skylar and Wesly Orton of Sandy, Skylar at Novice 65 lbs., and Wesly at Cadet (ages 15 and 16) 112 lbs.; and Tyler Schwendiman of South Jordan, Novice 80 lbs.

Taking bronze medals in freestyle were two athletes: first-year wrestler Wyatt Camomile of Saratoga Springs, Flyweight 50 lbs.; and Clesson Jellerson of Sandy, Flyweight 55 lbs.

Winning fourth-place awards in freestyle were four young wrestlers: Tanner Orton of Sandy, Intermediate 50 lbs.; Tyler Sargent of Midvale, Novice 95 lbs.; Justin Schwendiman of West Jordan, Schoolboy 77 lbs.; and Dylan Howell of West Jordan, Junior (ages 17 and 18) 160 lbs.

Earning sixth-place awards were three athletes: brothers Gavin and Ty Carlson of West Valley City, Gavin at Bantam 55 lbs., Ty at Intermediate 65 lbs.; and first-year wrestlers Payton Yates of Murray, Novice 80 lbs.

The team also took the third-place team trophy in freestyle using the 10-man team competition format, with 584 points, falling just short of the runner-up team by only four points.

In Greco-Roman competition, wrestlers earned 26 awards.  Champions included the four athletes who won gold in both tournaments, and Clesson Jellerson at Flyweight 55 lbs.

Team members earned eight runner-up finishes in Greco-Roman, including Will Haight, Bantam 45 lbs.; Tanner Orton, Intermediate 50 lbs.; first-year wrestler Stephen Cottam of Cottonwood Heights, Intermediate 87 lbs.; Skylar Orton, Novice 65 lbs.; Tyler Sargent, Novice 95 lbs.; Bryson Kimball, Novice 105/112 lbs.; Justin Schwendiman, Schoolboy 77 lbs.; and William Kilpack, Schoolboy 128/136 lbs.

Winning bronze medals in Greco-Roman were two wrestlers: Joshua Millward, Flyweight 45 lbs.; and Anthony Sargent of Midvale, Novice 90 lbs.

Taking fourth-place awards in Greco-Roman were six athletes: first-year wrestlers Will Manning of Sandy, Bantam 45 lbs.; first-year wrestling brothers Alex and Dallas Miller, Alex at Intermediate 75 lbs., Dallas at Schoolboy 128/136 lbs.; Tyler Schwendiman, Novice 80 lbs.; Wesly Orton, Cadet 105/112 lbs.; and Dylan Howell, Junior 160/171 lbs.

Earning a fifth-place award in Greco-Roman was Jack White of Herriman, Flyweight 45 lbs.

Taking sixth in Greco-Roman were Garrick Kilpack, Bantam 55 lbs.; and Carter McMillan of Sandy, Novice 75 lbs.

The team also took the third-place team trophy in the Greco-Roman 10-man team competition format, with 318 points, the runner-up team outscoring them by only 28 points.

Also competing the tournaments were brothers Landon and Jansen Nipko, Landon at Bantam 50 lbs., Jansen at Novice 75 lbs.; Diego Gutierrez of Draper, Bantam 55 lbs.; Cameron Gaudin of Salt Lake City, Bantam 55 lbs.; Tyler Lucero of West Jordan, Intermediate 55 lbs.; Tyler Fay of South Jordan, Intermediate 60 lbs.; and Leroy Sandberg of West Jordan, Novice 75 lbs.

"This was a great experience for all involved," said Coach Bill Kilpack (Jr.) said.  "The parental support was super, and the kids really showed what they've learned, even this early in the season.  Being only the second tournament of the year, and the first Greco of the season, they really did extremely well."

This tournament's two competitions make up the first leg of the Intermountain Champion Series.  For more information about the series, go to www.IntermountainChampion.com.  For tournament information, go to www.MountainTopClassic.com.

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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