2021 NCAA All-American Taylor LaMont (photo courtesy of Tony Rotundo; WrestlersAreWarriors.com)Today, 2021 NCAA All-American Taylor LaMont announced his transfer intentions. LaMont will move to the Big Ten to compete for Wisconsin for his final year of collegiate eligibility. During his time at Utah Valley, Lamont has qualified for the NCAA Championships on four occasions, three times at 125 lbs and once at 133.
As a freshman, LaMont won the 2017 Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, marking the first time a Wolverine wrestler won the event. He went on to finish third at the Big 12 Championships and earned the seventh seed at his first national tournament. LaMont eventually fell in the NCAA bloodround. His best year came in 2021, when LaMont was a conference runner-up and received the seventh seed again. This time, LaMont locked up All-American status by getting to the NCAA semifinals. A loss in tiebreakers to Brandon Courtney (Arizona State), bumped him to the consolations, where he'd bounce back to take fifth.
In 2021-22, LaMont only saw action in eight matches before the Big 12 Championships. He still locked up automatic qualifier status by placing fifth. LaMont was kept off the podium in Detroit after suffering sudden victory/tiebreaker losses to conference foes Killian Cardinale (West Virginia) and Joey Prata (Oklahoma). He did log wins over #12 seed Malik Heinselman (Ohio State) and #22 Ryan Miller (Penn).
In addition to LaMont's collegiate exploits, he has plenty of experience and accomplishments on the Greco-Roman front. LaMont has made a stunning seven age-group world teams (2 Cadets, 3 Junior, 2 U23) in that style. On four occasions, LaMont has wrestled for a world medal, coming away with a bronze at the Junior level, in 2016.
Inserting LaMont into the Badger lineup could make Wisconsin quite potent in 2022-23. He would likely slot into the 133 lb role. Wisconsin's returning starter is Kyle Burwick, a two-time qualifier that was 14-17 last season with an 0-2 showing at nationals. LaMont's addition would give Wisconsin five returning All-Americans (Eric Barnett - 125, Austin Gomez - 149, Dean Hamiti - 165, Trent Hillger - 285).
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