A slightly edited University of Minnesota news release:
Three-time All-American and former NCAA champion Dustin Schlatter (Massillion, Ohio) will be moving weight classes from 165 to 157.
"With the loss of Jake Deitchler (Anoka, Minn.), and after talking with the other coaches, I decided this move will help strengthen the line-up," head coach J Robinson said. "When I approached Dustin with the idea, he just said he would do 'whatever is best for the team.' I think this shows a great leadership decision by Dustin that makes a statement of how our team is to him." "We've also moved Cody Yohn (Alamosa, Colo.) down to 165, and I feel this will make our line-up stronger." In his first season at 165, Schlatter ran off an 8-1 record and stands ranked at No. 2 in the country. Earlier this month, he was ranked No. 4, but jumped up two spots after beating then No. 3 John Reader of Iowa State. In his last four matches, Schlatter has beaten four ranked opponents, and was champion at the Southern Scuffle. Before Deitchler decided come back to Minnesota from USA Wrestling and compete this season for the Gophers, Schlatter was set to wrestle at 157. When Deitchler committed, Schlatter moved up to help the team. Schlatter spent his three previous seasons at Minnesota competing at 149, winning the 2006 national championship as a true freshman, the first Gopher to do so. From 2006-08 he was a three-time All-American at 149 before taking the 2008-09 season off in preparation for the World Championships, which Schlatter qualified for and competed in this past September. His 108-8 career record gives him the third best winning percentage in program history, and he is the only one among the top-three with more than 100 career wins. Schlatter will make his debut at 157 when Minnesota hosts Wisconsin in Williams Arena at 7:00 p.m. Friday.
