Jon Reader: "79 kg is more of a natural weight for me. I have a ton of energy at this weight class."

Jon Reader made his first appearance since the 2016 Olympic Team Trials when he entered the 20th Dave Schultz Memorial International last week at the new 79 kg freestyle weight class. Reader was an NCAA champion at Iowa State, and has been a top U.S. freestyle wrestler for many years, competing at 86 kg. Reader trained for a number of years at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, before becoming assistant coach at South Dakota State working with head coach Chris Bono. Reader has returned to the mats in a new, lighter weight class, 79 kg, and is pursing Olympic goals again, while also juggling his role as a Div. I assistant coach. South Dakota State is making an impact in college wrestling, and Reader is looking to also rise on the international scene in a new weight category. Photo of Dave Schultz Memorial International champion Jon Reader by Richard Immel.