Jacob Schlottke

Pioneer Press, August 12, 2011

Former Apple Valley High School wrestling standout Jacob Schlottke, 27, died at his home in Albuquerque, N.M., after spending 1-1/2 years suffering from cancer.

Schlottke, a 2002 graduate of Apple Valley High School in Minnesota, was a five-time state tournament entrant and a two-time state champion. He still holds the Minnesota state record for takedowns in a season with 446 his senior year.

He earned a wrestling scholarship to Arizona State University but suffered a career-ending knee injury.

“It is a tremendous loss, not just for the Apple Valley High School community but for all of wrestling in the state of Minnesota,” Apple Valley activities director Pete Buesgens said of Schlottke’s death. “He was a phenomenal talent and a great kid.”

Schlottke also gained fame as a website entrepreneur.

In high school, he had a side business designing websites that carried him into his post-athletic career. He was president of Pinnacle Internet Marketing in Albuquerque, and in 2006, Business Week magazine selected him one of the Top 25 Entrepreneurs Under 25.

“Jacob was a kid that was fun to be around,” Apple Valley assistant wrestling coach Bill Demaray said. “He was easygoing and lighthearted. On the side, he worked on those techie things. That was his hobby. He had high goals and aspirations and worked really hard to accomplish things.”