UVU Leads With 16 Academic All-Big 12 Honors

IRVING, Texas — For the fourth time since joining the league in the sport of wrestling in 2015-16, the Utah Valley University wrestling team led the Big 12 Conference with 16 grapplers earning a spot on the 2022 Academic All-Big 12 Wrestling Team that was announced Thursday by the league office.

The 16 honorees were not only more than any other Big 12 institution, but also the most that the Wolverines have ever had. Seniors Demetrius Romero (grad student) and Ashton Seely, junior Taylor LaMont (grad student), sophomores Jacob Armstrong, Kainalu Estrella, Brigg Hoopes, Cameron Hunsaker, Jayden Woodruff, and redshirt freshmen Sam Edelblute, Jaxon Garoutte, Tanner Lofthouse, Hunter Morse, Ty Smith, and Danny Snediker all made the first team for UVU, while redshirt freshmen James Emmer and Kekana Fouret were both named to the second team.

"We are proud of this team. The recognition these 16 individuals have earned are well deserved and are one example of the commitment the team has made to be committed UVU student-athletes," head UVU coach Greg Williams said. "Several others are not able to be recognized for their hard work in the classroom because they are freshmen, redshirts, or transfers."

UVU not only led the way in total honorees with 16, but also in first team members with 14. Fellow Big 12 affiliate South Dakota State had the second-most with 14 overall and 11 on the first team, while Missouri followed with 13 of its grapplers making the cut.

Reigning All-Americans LaMont and Romero, as well as Seely were all named to the Academic All-Big 12 Team for the fourth time in their careers on Thursday. LaMont was also honored as one of nine wrestling student-athletes in the Big 12 this year for having a perfect 4.0 GPA while currently pursuing his master's degree in marriage and family therapy. It also marked the third time that Estrella has been named academic all-conference, and the second for Armstrong, Emmer, Fouret, Hoopes, Hunsaker, Morse and Smith.

The Wolverines previously led the league in Academic All-Big 12 selections in 2019 with 14, 2018 with 15 (UVU's previous high), and tied for the league lead in 2017 with eight.

In all, a total of 126 student-athletes were recognized on the 2022 Academic All-Big 12 Wrestling Team. 101 made the first team, while 25 selections made up the second team.

First team members consist of those who have maintained a 3.20 or better GPA while the second team selections hold a 3.00 to 3.19 GPA.

To qualify, student-athletes must maintain a 3.00 GPA or higher either cumulative or the two previous semesters and must have participated in 20 percent of their team's scheduled contests. Freshmen and transfers are not eligible in their first year of academic residence. Senior student-athletes who have participated for a minimum of two years and meet all the criteria except percent of participation are also eligible.

The Wolverines will now prepare for the postseason as the 2022 Big 12 Wrestling Championships are set for March 5-6 at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The event will begin that Saturday (March 5) at 10 a.m. MT/11 a.m. CT and will conclude with the championship finals on Sunday, March 6 live on ESPN2 at 6 p.m. MT/7 p.m. CT.