MINNEAPOLIS, MN -- Five wrestlers for the Minnesota Storm are recognized in United World Wrestling’s (UWW) World Rankings for the month of April. Teammates Dustin Schlatter and Kevin LeValley lead the rankings among Storm freestyle athletes.

 

In his first full season of international competition since representing the United States in the 2009 Freestyle World Championships, Schlatter has finished on the podium in the Granma Cup and the Dave Schultz Memorial International. His teammate, Kevin LeValley, has also earned international medals for Team USA and the Storm this season. Each wrestler plans to compete in the U.S. Open in May and they have their sights set on the 2015 World Championships in September.

 

In an interview at the beginning of the 2014-2015 season, Schlatter outlined his objective for 2015. “I would like to win a World title in Vegas. That is my goal.” The U.S. will host the World Championships this year in Las Vegas, September 8-13.

 

Freestyle results in 2015:

Dustin Schlatter, 70 kg/154 lbs

Dave Schultz Memorial International (Colorado Springs, CO) Silver medal

Cerro Pelado (Havana, Cuba) Silver medal

 

 

 

Kevin LeValley, 70 kg/154 lbs

Dave Schultz Memorial International (Colorado Springs, CO) Bronze medal

Cerro Pelado (Havana, Cuba) Bronze medal

 

 

 

 

 

Minnesota Storm teammates, Andy Bisek, Joe Rau and Jordan Holm are also recognized in the UWW World Rankings for April. The top ranked U.S. Greco athlete is 2014 World bronze medalist Andy Bisek at 75 kg/165 lbs. This season Bisek won his second consecutive gold medal at the Granma Cup in Cuba in February. He also earned a bronze medal at the Dave Schultz Memorial International.

 

Minnesota Storm’s Joe Rau has captured the attention of his international competitors since he dropped down to 80 kg/176 lbs to represent the United States in the 2014 World Championships. His success this season has shown that he is a top contender to earn a medal at the upcoming World Championships. In 2015, Rau has already earned three international medals, including a gold medal at the Zagreb Open Grand Prix in Croatia.

 

Jordan Holm climbed five spots in the latest world rankings following his gold medal finish at the Hungarian Grand Prix in early March. He also won his third consecutive gold medal at the Dave Schultz Memorial International in the end of January.

 

“It’s nice to be recognized,” said Holm, “but at this level none of us are putting a lot of stock in the rankings. At most weights, there is very little difference between number one and number 15 [in the rankings]. The only thing that matters is who is going perform best when it's time to compete...I am confident that we will be ready.”

 

Greco results in 2015:

Andy Bisek, 75 kg/165 lbs

Dave Schultz Memorial International (Colorado Springs, CO) bronze medal

Granma Cup (Havana, Cuba) gold medal

 

 

 

 

Joe Rau, 80 kg/176 lbs

Storm Holiday Cup (Rochester, MN) silver medal

Dave Schultz Memorial International (Colorado Springs, CO) silver medal

Zagreb Open Grand Prix (Zagreb, Croatia) gold medal

Hungarian Grand Prix (Szombathely, Hungary) bronze medal

 

 

Jordan Holm, 85 kg/187 lbs

Dave Schultz Memorial International (Colorado Springs, CO) gold medal

Hungarian Grand Prix (Szombathely, Hungary) gold medal

 

 

 

 

The Minnesota Storm's Greco and Freestyle athletes will roll into Las Vegas, May 7-9 to compete in the U.S. Open. The tournament will be broadcast live on FloPro and many of the semi-final and final matches will be aired on the NBC Universal Sports Network.

 

Men’s Freestyle Wrestlers in UWW World Rankings:

Dustin Schlatter, Minnesota Storm, 70 kg/154 lbs (No. 17)

Kevin LeValley, Minnesota Storm, 70 kg/154 lbs (No. 18)

 

Men’s Greco Wrestlers in UWW World Rankings:

Andy Bisek, Minnesota Storm, 75 kg/165 lbs (No. 10)

Joe Rau, Minnesota Storm, 80 kg/176 lbs (No. 12)

Jordan Holm, Minnesota Storm, 85 kg/187 lbs (No. 12)

 

For complete UWW Freestyle world rankings click here.

For complete UWW Greco Roman world rankings click here.

 

Related news:

Behind the scenes with Kevin LeValley

 

 

Jordan Holm named USA Wrestling athlete of the week