Fourteen Utah Wrestlers Take Freestyle Honors in Western Regional Championships

Fourteen Utah wrestlers have fought their way through the third largest freestyle wrestling tournament in the country, placing in the top six at the Western Regional Championships June 25–26, 2004, at the Winnemucca Event Center.

“This was a great turnout for Utah,” said Craig LaMont, Kids Director for USA Wrestling Utah. “We had some close matches that held out a lot of our athletes just short of the medal rounds, but that's just part of the game. Pulling out those close matches is what makes a champion.”

Of the 14 Utahns placing in freestyle, five were in championship matches. Of those five, four emerged with the gold. Champions include

• Carson Kuhn, Salt Lake City-based Specialized Wrestling Club, Novice (ages 11 and 12) 65 lbs.

• Kade Moss, Specialized Wrestling Club, Schoolboy (ages 13 and 14) 70 lbs.

• Jason Chamberlin, Specialized Wrestling Club, Schoolboy 100 lbs.

• Matthew Brown, Specialized Wrestling Club, Schoolboy 105 lbs.

Kuhn, Chamberlin and Brown were all Greco-Roman champions at this year's Western Regional Championships. Kuhn was champion in both styles in 2003.

Taking a silver medal was Kevin Taylor, Brigham City-based Stingers Wrestling Club, Cadet (ages 15 and 16) 171 lbs.

The remaining nine medalists won third, fourth, fifth and sixth-place bronze medals.

Taking third-place medals were Raider Lofthouse, Kaysville-based Elite Wrestling Club, Novice 80 lbs.; and Matthew Fairbrother, Specialized Wrestling Club, Schoolboy 250 lbs.

Taking a fourth-place medals were Jake Ribald, Sandy-based Jordan Freestyle Wrestling, Midget (ages 9 and 10) 70 lbs.; and Nick Sorenson, Stingers Wrestling Club, Midget 80 lbs.

Taking fifth-place medals were Brandon George, Specialized Wrestling Club, Midget 60 lbs.; and Austin Swensen, Jordan Freestyle Wrestling, Midget 75 lbs.

Taking sixth-place medals were Tyler Jensen, Jordan Freestyle Wrestling, Midget 50 lbs.; Jesse Carlisle, Springville-based Champions Wrestling Club, Midget 75 lbs.; and Taylor Peacock, Specialized Wrestling Club, Logan Wrestling Club, Schoolboy 105 lbs.

Midget, Novice and Schoolboy competitors qualify for the Kids National Championships to be held in Menonomie, Wis., next week.