As a high school wrestler, Schlatter was a NHSCA Senior national title, USA Wrestling Junior and Cadet national titles in freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling, and was a four-time Ohio high school state champion.

In his freshman campaign, Schlatter twice defeated senior Zack Esposito of Oklahoma State University, the defending 149-pound NCAA Division I champion, once by a major decision.

He finished the regular season with a record of 42-1, the lone loss to Mark DiSalvo of Central Michigan.

After accumulating 65 consecutive wins dating back to the 2006 season, Schlatter was upset in the semi-finals of the 149 weight class by Gregor Gillespie of Edinboro.

He dropped to #4 in the rankings but rebounded by winning the Southern Scuffle defeating Ricky Schmulyen of Bloomsburg in the finals.

On January 28, Minnesota head coach Jay Robinson issued a press release stating Dustin Schlatter will be dropping to the 157 lb weight class.

The coaching staff said they made this decision after Olympian Freshman Jake Deitchler was ruled ineligible for the season.

Schlatter was originally planning on going 157 lbs for the 2009-2010 season but moved up to make room in the lineup for Deitchler and to increase Minnesota's chances for success.

After a leg injury put Dustin off the mat for the latter part of the 09-10 season, he attempted to make a comeback in the NCAA tournament.