I am Taylor LaMont, and I grew up in Mapleton, Utah. I have five siblings, and we spent a lot of time over the years supporting each other in the various sports that we have been involved with. My childhood consisted of a lot of wrestling tournaments and soccer games. Every year growing up, we were always travelling to get to the next game or match. We have had a lot of fun in our sports endeavors together.

My journey to Utah Valley University was greatly influenced by my wrestling career. I grew up wrestling, and I always knew that I wanted to wrestle in college. Coach Williams and Coach Tadzhimetov (who currently coach here at UVU) were my club coaches growing up, so I have known them personally for a while. My club team practiced at UVU, and so by the time I was preparing for collegiate wrestling, I already had built a strong connection with UVU. 

While I interacted with other universities about collegiate wrestling, none could compare to the feeling of home that UVU provided. I was born and raised in Utah County and married my high school sweetheart here as well. Everything lined up well, including academically, as UVU offers the marriage and family therapy master’s program that would help me achieve my aspirations of becoming a therapist.

Due to a free COVID-19 year and redshirt years, I am still wrestling while pursuing my master’s and have two more years of eligibility to wrestle for UVU. After I finish my master’s degree, I plan to take some extra classes so that I can utilize my last year of eligibility. This coming year will be my sixth year on the UVU wrestling team; however, I have been here practicing in the facilities for 15 years — I have enjoyed every second.

A huge moment for me at UVU was this past year when my teammate Demetrius Romero and I made the semifinals of the NCAA Championship. We became All-Americans, and that was significant since UVU had never had two in the same year. Being able to make history at UVU is a highlight of my wrestling career.

I will finish my UVU master’s degree in two semesters. Getting into the master’s program for marriage and family therapy was a pivotal academic experience for me. As I was applying for the program, I was proud of all the work and effort I put into the application and interviews. I spent many late nights at my favorite spot on campus to do work — the top floor of the library. The peace and quiet there were what got me through undergraduate and now through my master’s.  

My post-graduate plans will consist of finishing my UVU wrestling career and then pursuing an Olympic gold medal. I have two more shots to do that, in 2024 and 2028. The first is in London, and the second will be in Los Angeles. It is a lot of work to get there. The college wrestling season is from November to March. The other months I spend training for the Olympics. I compete in Greco-Roman wrestling in addition to the UVU matches. There are a few tournaments during the summer, and depending on how you do, you can end up at the world championships. This November, I have the opportunity to represent our country in the 23 years old and under category in Serbia to win a world title.

Utah Valley University has prepared me for greatness both on the mat and in the classroom. I am fortunate to have had two families at UVU: wrestling and my master’s program cohort. Reflecting on my time at UVU, I am blessed — blessed to be part of the wrestling program, to be at UVU getting my master’s degree by 23, and for all the individuals who have supported me on my journey.

Appreciating my opportunities is a significant part of my life mantra: “Always grateful, never satisfied.” I am thankful for the many blessings but, at the same time, I am always grinding toward the next level. Moving forward, the dream would be to coach wrestling at UVU after my own wrestling career and practice therapy part time.