Dustin SchlatterRevWrestling.com recently caught up with the sophomore sensation to talk about the pressure of repeating as NCAA champion, what has changed from last season to this season, renewing his rivalry with Brent Metcalf in the Big Ten, and whether or not he's planning on competing in freestyle events after the collegiate season.
You've had some close matches score-wise this season, whereas last season you seemed to win by larger margins. Are wrestlers wrestling you more defensively this season?
Schlatter: Yeah, I mean, I think so. People this year scout me a lot more, obviously, which is going to happen. I don't think guys are coming after me as much … maybe not taking as many shots … just trying to keep the score close. I think that's the goal of a lot of people. Yeah, I think people are changing up their style when they wrestle me. It's something that I'm learning to adjust to. I have to change my strategy a little bit against certain people.
Last season, you were a freshman and the expectations weren't as high. Do you feel more pressure to win every match after winning an NCAA title as a freshman?
Schlatter: Obviously, after you win one, there's going to be a lot more pressure. Last year, I don't think many people expected as much from me. But at the same time, during this time last year, I was ranked No. 1 and was the No. 1 seed at the NCAA's, so I still think there was pressure. There might be more this year. But I don't think it's an incredible amount more. It's nothing I can't handle. There's a little bit more expectation, but not too much.
Your only collegiate career loss occurred at the Northeast Duals as a freshman last year to Mark DiSalvo of Central Michigan, which you later avenged. How much does that lone blemish on your record bother you? Do you think about it? Does it eat away at you at all
Schlatter: Well, the fact that I wrestled such a poor match … when I look back on it. I could have easily won that match. You never want to lose, but I think that loss was probably one of the best things that could have happened to me. It kind of opened my eyes and made me realize that I need to start wrestling no matter who they are … whether they're a returning All-American or not. It's kind of like, it's college now. I need to wrestle everyone. In a way, it helped. Obviously, I would much prefer to be undefeated, but I think it helped for the rest of the season.
Did it take some pressure off you of not having to stay undefeated?
Schlatter: At that time, I was probably ranked 18th and had only wrestled like 12 matches. There really wasn't much pressure from outside forces. I would imagine there would be a little more if I was still undefeated.
You appear to be stronger and bigger this season? How much weight did you add to your frame last off-season?
Schlatter: Probably just a couple pounds. I mean, I don't think I got a lot bigger. I still don't cut much weight to make 149. It's not much trouble. But I probably put on a couple pounds of muscle this summer.
What do you weigh naturally?
Schlatter: In the off-season, I'm probably around 160. During the season, with all the workouts, I come in maybe in the mid 150's. After a day or two of practice, I'm only a pound or two over.
Who are your regular workout partners?
Schlatter: I work out with Manny (Rivera), CP (Schlatter), and Tyler Safrotowich. I also work out a lot with Chad Erikson, Luke Becker, and Jared Lawrence. Those are the main guys I work out with. I think it's good because they all have different styles. Some of them are big, some strong, some quick, some funky, so it really gives me every style there is … a lot of different looks.
Your teammate, Rivera, has made great strides this season. He's currently 33-0. What do you attribute to his improvement from last season?
Schlatter: I think the big thing with him is confidence. Last year, I think he had all the tools, but I don't know if he really believed in himself, believed that he could be a national champion or All-American. This year, he's been working really hard over the summer and I think now believes that he can be a national champion. He has all the tools for it. He's been working real hard for it … and it's been paying off.
Your high school rival, Brent Metcalf, transferred from Virginia Tech to Iowa last off-season. Are you excited about renewing your rivalry in the Big Ten with Metcalf?
Schlatter: Yeah, I think it's great for the sport. I also think all the coaching changes are great for the sport. You've got Cael Sanderson now coaching at Iowa State, Tom Ryan at Ohio State, and Tom Brands at Iowa. It's phenomenal for the sport. It's definitely going to do something for Minnesota versus Iowa. Hopefully we can get the attention that we got in 2002 when they were wrestling at the Target Center and had 15,000 fans. I really hope the next two seasons we can get that going and have some fun battles going. I'm really looking forward to that.
Dustin Schlatter (Photo/The Guillotine)Schlatter: Yeah, I think so. Like I said, some wrestlers this year have changed a little bit and don't go after me. But I don't really foresee Metcalf being one of those guys who is going to hold back. I think he'll come after me … just like a lot of guys did last year.
Who has been the toughest match-up for you stylistically in your collegiate career?
Schlatter: I would say Zack Esposito. The second time I beat him pretty good. But both matches he took me down first. He has a lot of technique. You have to always be on your toes because you never know what he's going to pull out. The first time I wrestled him, it was back and forth … I think that might have been one of the most exciting and most interesting match-ups I had.
You had regular season wins over both Esposito and Ty Eustice of Iowa last season. Did you have a preference on which wrestler you would rather face in the finals last season?
Schlatter: Well, they're both tough guys. But I was probably looking forward to facing Esposito more … just because it was in Oklahoma City, where he has a huge fan base. I just thought that would make for a more fun finals match with all the fans into it.
There was a lot of anticipation going into this season's Southern Scuffle about the possibility of you wrestling Gregor Gillespie of Edinboro, but that match never materialized. You have yet to face Gillespie. Is that a match-up you're looking forward to in the future?
Schlatter: Yeah, I was expecting to have him at the Scuffle. I think he's one of those wrestlers who will come after me, too. I don't think he's going to hold back at all. He has a really good shot. He's a really quick wrestler. And I think that will make for a much more exciting match. I think that will happen in the near future. I think that will be a good one.
CP came back at the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals … and seems to be wrestling with a lot more confidence this season. In your opinion, what does he need to do to win a national title this season?
Schlatter: I mean, he has all the tools. He's definitely capable of winning it. He's beaten all the top guys. He just needs to believe in himself and take one match at a time. He can't be overlooking anyone. He's in great shape. He's strong. He's quick. He just needs to put it all together and wrestle his match, wrestle his style. Don't let his opponents get in his head … or put their style into the match. He just needs to stick with what he does … and believe in himself. He has as good a chance as anyone at winning the title.
Dustin Schlatter (Photo/The Guillotine)Schlatter: I don't know. I haven't really thought of that. Right now, the weight is not a problem. But who knows, I could hit a growth spurt. I don't know. It definitely could happen, but right now it's a couple years away. It could happen, I guess.
If there was one wrestler you would pay to watch, past, or present, who it would be?
Schlatter: Well, one event stands out. When I was growing up, I went to the 1995 World Championships in Atlanta. I was pretty young at the time, like 9 years old. I think that is what opened my eyes to how great wrestling was and fun it was. I just had a blast there. I remember watching guys like Dave Schultz, Kevin Jackson, Kurt Angle … it was just an amazing experience. I just had such a blast watching them. We won the World Championships that year … I would love to see all that action again. That weekend was just amazing for me.
Next season you'll return nine of your 10 starters in the lineup, but lose NCAA champion Cole Konrad to graduation. Can other wrestlers improve enough to offset the loss of Konrad … and make next season's team even stronger?
Schlatter: It's obviously going to be hard to replace someone like Cole, who you could count on for a win or to get the pin. Guys like that don't come around often. But we obviously have a solid core coming back, pretty much everyone. If the guys keep doing what we're doing now … keep improving, I think next year we could be even stronger. We have a couple of young guys who are definitely making a difference on the team now. If we just keep going in that direction, I think we will definitely be a stronger team next year.
From a fan's perspective, it has been a two team race between Minnesota and Missouri for most of the season. Iowa State came up with a big victory over Missouri on Sunday. Did that surprise you at all?
Schlatter: To be honest, I wasn't surprised by Iowa State beating Missouri. We've wrestled Iowa State twice now, so I know how tough they are as a team. I just think that makes it more exciting. Having more teams in the thick of it will make it more competitive come tournament time. I'm really excited about that.
You opted not to compete in freestyle in 2006 after winning your NCAA title. Do you plan to wrestle freestyle this coming spring?
Schlatter: Yeah, I would like to. But I haven't really thought about it. At this point, we're mainly focusing on getting ready for Big Ten's and NCAA's. But I did it every year growing up. I really enjoy freestyle. I guess that I'll probably play it by ear … and see how I feel come NCAA time and afterwards … and make a call. Right now, it's up in the air.
Do you have aspirations of competing in the Olympic Games
Schlatter: I think I would like to. Hopefully if I keep on the track I'm on now … I'll be at the level where I can fulfill that. It's definitely a goal of mine in the future.
Your success in Fargo at the Cadet and Junior Nationals is well documented. Do you favor one style over another?
Schlatter: I think when I was growing up and in high school, I enjoyed freestyle a little more. I thought it was more fun. I had a better time doing it. But I haven't wrestled freestyle with the new rules yet. So I'll find out this summer or next summer what I like now. But I always grew up liking freestyle more.
Please Note: This story also appears in the Feb. 23 issue of The Guillotine. The Guillotine has been covering amateur wrestling in Minnesota since 1971. Its mission is to report and promote amateur wrestling at all levels -- from youth and high school wrestling to college and international level wrestling. For information on how to subscribe to The Guillotine, click HERE!
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