First Big Test Of NCAA Season For Gross & LaMont
First Big Test Of NCAA Season For Gross & LaMont
Seth Gross, Taylor LaMont, Tate Orndorff, and Trent Hilger highlight Wisconson vs Utah Valley dual.
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Much of the conversation around Seth Gross' NCAA season has been about his chances of winning the Hodge Trophy. He'll have his first big test of the season in the very tough Taylor LaMont. This Wisconsin dual against Utah Valley also features the #3 and #8 heavyweights in the country, Tate Orndorff and Trent Hilger.
The Seth Gross vs Taylor LaMont match is one we didn't expect to see even earlier this week. Taylor LaMont had planned to take an Olympic Redshirt but has recently decided to compete in the NCAA season for the Utah Valley Wolverines instead. That makes Wisconsin vs Utah Valley a must-watch dual for a few reasons.
Watch Wisconsin vs Utah Valley LIVE on FloWrestling
Saturday, November 23 | 3:00 PM ET
Gross' Freestyle Focus
Seth Gross' freestyle focus was on full display last week at the Bill Farrell Memorial. He had an iconic come-from-behind win over NCAA champion Nick Suriano before picking up steam and teching Darian Cruz and Nathan Tomasello to win the title.
His performance at that tournament made clear that Gross has been focused on his Olympic aspirations. For one thing, his approach to freestyle matches seems to have evolved. Gross, known for being a gunslinger, still had a range of ways to score against top-level guys, but his defense was more sound than we've seen from him in the past. Consider, for example, that Gross only gave up a combined eight points in his four matches at the Bill Farrell while at the 2017 U.S. Open against a similar field, he gave up 20 points, all in just two of those matches.
The other evidence of Gross' freestyle focus was that he successfully made weight at 57kg, close to 7.5 pounds less than his normal weight class of 133. While Gross looked better and better as the day went on, this weight cut cannot have been easy on Gross physically or in terms of the focus required to pull it off. While he won't have that kind of cut this weekend, he will have to dial in his focus for LaMont.
There is no doubt that Gross' accomplishments last weekend prove that he is ready to take on the world, but this match against LaMont could offer unique challenges because it comes against a very tough competitor in a style that has not been Gross' focus in the first half of this season. Make no mistake: Gross is the favorite here, but don't ignore how serious a challenge LaMont could present.
Taylor LaMont's Mystique
Greco Junior World bronze medalist Taylor LaMont didn't compete last year due to injury, but his freshman year proved that he's one of the toughest lightweights around. LaMont had just five losses his freshman season and also notched more high-level wins than many people have in their entire careers. LaMont's hit list includes All-Americans Zeke Moisey, Connor Schram, Sean Russell, Ethan Lizak, and Sebastian Rivera.
LaMont's win over Lizak is perhaps most relevant for his upcoming match against Seth Gross. One of the biggest questions for all of Gross' opponents is how they'll handle his dominance from the top position. While that question still remains for LaMont, we have seen him beat Ethan Lizak, one of the most prolific top wrestlers in recent memory. Lamont was unable to escape from Lizak, but he didn't get turned either.
LaMont's combination of potent leg-attacks plus his ability to use Greco background to threaten opponents from ties give him great takedown options, and his solid positioning on the mat can keep him in almost any match. We'll see how those skills hold up against Hodge contender Seth Gross.
For a better sense of how LaMont looks against a transcendent top wrestler, check out his 2017 match with Ethan Lizak.
#3 Orndorff Looks For Revenge Against #8 Hillger
Last November, Tate Orndorff and Trent Hillger met at a dual in Madison in a rare heavyweight shootout. Orndorff went out to an early lead with a monster toss, but Hillger stormed back to force overtime. Hillger got the sudden victory win, but clearly these two are evenly matched.
In the early weeks of this 2019-20 season, Orndorff seems to be much improved from a year ago having already upset All-Americans Jordan Wood and Tanner Hall at the Journeymen Collegiate Classic to earn the #3 ranking at heavyweight. He'll have an opportunity to avenge that Hillger loss from a season ago and prove whether he's ready to have regular success against heavyweight All-Americans.
These two big men aren't afraid to let it fly. Here's their barn-burner from last season:
Badger-Wolverine Showdown
Every wonder who would win in a fight between a badger and a wolverine? We'll find out tomorrow.
While the 133 and 285 matches have the highest national-level import, each team boasts multiple ranked wrestlers. Projected to take the mat for Utah Valley are #25 Kimball Bastian at 174 and #3 Tate Orndorff at 285. That does not include Taylor LaMont who is not yet ranked at 133 because of his surprise return to the lineup. Demetrius Romero, #7 at 165, is now out for the season, and Matt Findlay #11 at 149 is not listed as a probable starter.
Half of Wisconsin's starters are ranked including #1 Seth Gross at 133, #11 Tristan Moran at 141, #14 Cole Martin at 149, #3 Evan Wick at 165, and #8 Trent Hilger at 285.