Dustin Schlatter wins the “Dream Match” 1-0 over Jeff Jaggers- But Little is Settled. Rematch takes place January 27th!!!

Military genius Sun Tzu offered this insight in The Art of War:

“If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the results of 100 battles.”
This adage aptly describes Dustin Schlatter’s win over Jeff Jaggers, in a showdown between two of the most outstanding Ohio wrestlers of the past decade. 
        Perhaps some spectators were puzzled when Schlatter took neutral in the third period of a 0-0 bout.  After all, even the most casual wrestling fan knows that in a tied match you chose the “down” position and get your escape point. 
Which brings us to the above Sun Tzu quote- remember that Schlatter and Jaggers have been on three Cadet/Junior National teams together.  While this was the first time they stepped on the mat with thousands of wrestling fans eagerly waiting they outcome, it was hardly the first time they have stepped on the mat against one another.
        Schlatter knew his opponent, and he knew himself. 
        From previously wrestling Jaggers, Schlatter knew, with 2:00 riding time banked, that the chances were better that Jaggers could ride him (and thus erase riding time) than take him down.  Anyone who has seen Jaggers attack from both position that Schlatter’s choice was truly deciding between “the lesser of two evils”- a Hobson’s choice if there ever was one.  The danger of this strategy, of course, was that Jaggers riding out Schlatter would have resulted in a tied match, but if Jaggers had gotten a takedown, he wins 2-1 (presuming there was no further scoring). 
        But Schlatter knew his opponent- as well as his own strengths - and therefore, he did not fear the result of his decision.  His decision turned out to be the correct one, as Jaggers failed to mount any offense, and Schlatter prevailed 1-0 on the strength of rididng time.   
        Those who have seen Schlatter and Jaggers pile up lopsided scores on opponents over the years may be puzzled by the 1-0 final.  Sometimes, it is possible for great wrestlers to respect each other too much- indeed, the first battle between them featured surprisingly little action or risk-taking.  As one observer, speaking on condition of anonymity, put it: “there was a lot of dancing, but neither Jaggers nor Schlatter wanted to pull the trigger.”  Indeed, their first match, with neither scoring an offensive point, was something of a disappointment. 
        The silver lining, however, is that both Jaggers and Schlatter should be at this weight class for at least the next two years- they will meet not only in the dual meet between their teams, but also potentially at the Southern Scuffle, Big Ten, and NCAA Tournament.  In other words, while the first battle went to Schlatter- the war between two of Ohio’s finest wrestlers is far from decided.
        Interestingly, Jaggers has a history of avenging his losses the second time around, often by large margins:  Josh Zupanic, Ryan Lang, and Troy Tirapelle come to mind.   Ohiowrestlingsite.com will not predict who will win their second bout just yet, but look for Jaggers to take the fight to Schlatter instead of waiting next time around.  The next installment of the series goes down January 27th, at Ohio State University. 

Other Ohio Notes from the “Southern Scuffle”

      Dustin Schlatter’s older brother CP Schlatter took 2nd at 157, falling to 3x NCAA All-American Dustin Manotti of Cornell.   Steve Sommer, of West Carrolton and now Ohio State, took 4th at that weight.  Freshman Tommy Cunningham of Groveport-Madison High School finished 6th.  Former State Champion Kurt Gross of Padua High School and Kent State University finished 7th.  Cunningham defeated Gross 5-4 in the consolation bracket.
Ricky Deubel of Kenston High School and Kent State University came out like a house on fire, scoring a major decision (10-2) over a tough Eric Stevenson and a 16-0 technical fall over Lock Haven’s Obe Blanc (#12 in the rankings at www.Revwrestling.com), only to lose to 5-2 to Kent State’s Chad Sportelli.  Deubel defaulted in his next match and then defaulted to 6th.   No word on how serious his injury was at this time. 
Ohio State true freshman Reece Humphrey took an impressive 4th.  Along the way he scored an impressive 9-6 win over #7 ranked Matt Keller of Tennesee-Chatanooga.
      TJ Enright of Ohio State and Galloway Westland High School finished 6th in a loaded weight.  While Enright probably expected to finish higher, he did score a key win over Manny Riveria of Minnesota.  
      Ohio State looks solid the next few years- with the following stars.  133- Humphrey 141- Enright/Lance Palmer 149- Jaggers 157- Jason Johstone 174- Blake Maurer 197- JD Bergman 285- Kirk Nail.
      #12 ranked Alex Camargo of Berea High School and Kent State University appears to be on a mission this year, defeating Rocco Caponi of Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary’s High School by a surprising 11-3 in the quarterfinals.  Camargo wound up third, his only loss a 5-3 decision to #8 ranked Roger Kish of Minnesota.  Both Camargo and Deubel stand a good chance to become All-Americans this year for the Golden Flashes! Caponi was eliminated by Alex Picazo of Columbus Grandview Heights High School and Ohio State University by a 7-6 count.  Picazo finished 8th.
      Kirk Nail of Ohio State University placed 5th.  The sophomore from Hilliard Davidson is currently ranked #19 in the nation. 

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Read the previous article: It’s On: Epic Showdown between Ohio Legends Jaggers and Schlatter Tonite!

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