2008 Olympian and freshman-to-be Jake Deitchler will not be joining the Gophers wrestling team this season, Deitchler told head coach J Robinson Tuesday.

The decision came after Deitchler placed 12th in the 66 kg./145.5 lb. division at the Olympic Greco-Roman wrestling competition last week.

Deitchler, 18, told the Pioneer Press he wants to become a gold medalist in Greco-Roman, and sees the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado 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 release. “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.”