LaMont Garners Greco-Roman National Championship

OMAHA, Neb. — Utah Valley University redshirt junior Taylor LaMont made quick work of his competition on Friday en route to winning a 2020 U23 Greco-Roman National Championship at 60 kilos on Friday at CHI Health Center in Omaha, while former UVU grappler and current Brunson UVRTC competitor Dylan Gregerson too brought home a U23 Greco National title at 63 kilos.

After opening with a three quick victories, LaMont then punched his ticket to the finals to face a familiar foe in two-time Junior World Team member and 2018 U23 World Team member Randon Miranda of New York Athletic Club.

LaMont, who competed for Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club at the event, opened the 60 kg championship match with an advantage point, but Miranda soon answered with a reversal point of his own to deadlock the score at 1-1 at the break. In the second period, the current U.S. Senior Greco National Team member LaMont then managed to score a takedown to take a 3-1 lead. LaMont then held on to the lead from there on his way to winning the title.

"It's been a while since I've won a tournament, so this feels good." LaMont said. "Miranda is tough opponent, so I knew that I was going to have to wear him out if I wanted to come out on top. And I'm pleased that I was able to pick up the victory."

In his first three matches on Friday morning, LaMont dominated his competition by outscoring the trio of opponents by an impressive tally of 27-2.

In a round-robin style 60 kg bracket, the two-time UVU NCAA qualifier cruised to an 11-2 technical fall victory over Cordney Chairs (unattached) in his opening bout. He then followed that up with back-to-back 8-0 tech fall victories over Thomas Hicks (unattached) and Corbin Nirschl (MWC Wrestling Academy). The win over Hicks took LaMont just 31-seconds, while he was then able to defeat Nirschl in one minute and 39-seconds to setup a true title match against Miranda.

"I just want to compete and I'm grateful to be able to come out here this weekend and get back into the swing of things," LaMont added. "I'll be dropping down to 125 for the college season so these tournaments are great to help me cut weight. I'm looking forward to the freestyle portion of the event over the next couple of days and then the college season right around the corner."

The former UVU grappler Gregerson also won a U23 Greco title on the day at 63 kg while representing Brunson UVRTC. Gregerson went a perfect 3-0 including a 9-0 tech fall victory in just 59-seconds over Erik Spence of Battle Born Wrestling Club in the title match to win the 63 kg bracket. Gregerson did not allow a point to be scored on him during his impressive run, as he outscored his opponents 24-0.

By winning U23 Nationals, LaMont and Gregerson both earn bids to compete at the 2021 U23 World Team Trials.

The weekend is not done for LaMont, Gregerson and the Wolverines, as both are also scheduled to compete in freestyle competition at the U23 Nationals on Saturday and Sunday. LaMont, Gregerson and 22 other UVU grapplers will all vie UWW Junior or U23 National titles over the next 48 hours in Omaha. Every match of the tournament can be watched live on FloWrestling.

UVU U23 Greco-Roman Results

60 kg - Taylor LaMont (4-0) - 1st Place
Taylor LaMont (Sunkist Kids) VSU1 Cordney Chairs (Unattached), 11-2 (1:46)
Taylor LaMont (Sunkist Kids) VSU Thomas Hicks (Unattached), 8-0 (0:31)
Taylor LaMont UT (Sunkist Kids) VSU Corbin Nirschl (MWC Wrestling Academy), 8-0 (1:39)
Taylor LaMont UT (Sunkist Kids) VPO1 Randon Miranda (New York Athletic Club), 3-1

63 kg - Dylan Gregerson (3-0) - 1st Place
Dylan Gregerson (Brunson UVRTC) VPO Matt Santos (Unattached), 5-0
Dylan Gregerson (Brunson UVRTC) VSU Jarod Maes (X-Factor Elite Wrestling), 10-0 (2:27)
Dylan Gregerson (Brunson UVRTC) VSU Erik Spence (Battle Born Wrestling Club), 9-0 (0:59)