Beijing experience prompts Gophers wrestling recruit to bail for Olympic Training Center
By Trevor Born
Minnesota Daily, U. Minnesota
August 19, 2008

Fresh off his first Olympic experience, 18-year-old wrestler Jake Deitchler told Minnesota coach J Robinson on Tuesday he will not be joining the Gophers as a freshman this year as planned.

The decision came after Deitchler placed 12th in the 66 kg (145-pound) division in Greco-Roman wrestling competition last week in Beijing.

Deitchler told the Pioneer Press he wants to become a gold medalist in Greco-Roman wrestling and sees the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., as his best chance to get there.

"In my opinion, it comes down to what I want, and I want to be the best in the world," Deitchler, told the Pioneer Press. "The way for me to get there is through the Olympic Training Center.

You know, Henry Cejudo won a gold medal. He's an Olympic champion at 21. I could be an Olympic champion at 22."

Deitchler had signed a National Letter of Intent to wrestle for the Gophers this season, part of a recruiting class ranked No. 1 in the country by InterMat.com.

But college wrestling is folk-style, and Deitchler told the Pioneer Press wants to focus on Greco-Roman. He will still be able to attend school at a University in Colorado Springs.

"It's unfortunate that [Jake] has decided not to honor his commitment," Robinson said in a statement. "We're hopeful that upon returning home, Jake will consider following through with his National Letter of Intent and will choose to wrestle for the Gophers. The invitation to attend the 'U' remains open."

Copyright ©2008 Minnesota Daily via UWire

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