Utah Valley Wrestling Inks Four to NLIs

OREM, Utah – Utah Valley University head wrestling coach Greg Williams announced his 2016-17 signing class on Monday and it features four highly talented prep wrestlers. Taylor LaMont (Mapleton, Utah), Durbin Lloren (Clovis, Calif.), Cameron Hunsaker (American Fork, Utah) and Gary Jantzer (Coos Bay, Ore.) all signed National Letters of Intent last week to wrestle for the Wolverines.

"We're super excited about all four young men. They are all fantastic students that have great accomplishments throughout their youth as well as in high school," said Williams. "All four are hard workers that have beaten solid opponents and have placed at national-level tournaments. Our room is getting tougher and we're looking forward to how well they fit into the program."

LaMont, who has his sights set on his fourth straight state title at Maple Mountain High School this season, is the younger brother of current UVU freshman Grant LaMont. Taylor LaMont is currently ranked fifth in the nation by InterMat at 132 pounds after placing fifth at the UWW Cadet World Championships in Bosnia-Herzegovina this past summer.

"We've worked with Taylor for a long time and he is one of the most focused, hard-working young men that I've ever known," Williams added. "He is a top, top talent that is going to bring some great things to Utah Valley. We feel strongly that he will be a multiple All-American and even have a chance to win the whole thing."

Durbin Lloren is a returning state champion from Buchanan High School in Clovis, California and will be looking for his fourth CIF medal this season. Lloren is also ranked nationally at 132 pounds, as he is currently 10th in his weight class on the latest InterMat poll.

"Durbin is a very controlled wrestler that is strong in all positions. He and Taylor will be great workout partners for each other," said Williams. "He is also very, very focused and will bring a lot of great things to the table."

Hunsaker, who is currently wrestling his senior season at American Fork High School in nearby American Fork, Utah, is a returning state champion for the Cavemen after winning the 120-pound state title last year.

"Cameron has performed well at national-level tournaments in the past," Williams stated. "He keeps growing and continues to bump-up weight classes but is very quick. We feel like he'll still be able to wrestle with that quick style that he has."

Jantzer is a two-time Oregon state champion and is currently the top-ranked wrestler at 170 pounds in the state of Oregon for Marshfield High School.

"Gary holds some big wins against top-ranked opponents. He is going to bring it every day in the room," added Williams. "Everything that I hear about him is how tremendous his work ethic is.""The confidence is key. All four of these guys are very confident and we've learned over the past few years just how important that is. It's an exciting time for us," concluded Williams.

LaMont and Lloren will both wrestle at 133 pounds next season for UVU, while Hunsaker is projected to compete around 157 and Jantzer at 165 or 174. The four along with Ben Andrew, who is currently serving an LDS Church mission, make up the 2016-17 signing class for Utah Valley. Andrew (Mesa, Ariz.), who previously signed with UVU, was a two-time state champion at Mesa High School and will wrestle at heavyweight for the Wolverines.