Schlatter attended Perry High School in Perry Township, Ohio during his junior and senior years (from 2003-2005), and Graham High School in St. Paris, Ohio during his freshman and sophomore years (from 2001-2003) where he compiled a 154-4 overall record.
In Dustin's senior year, he twice met Brent Metcalf, who was considered the #2 wrestler in the nation behind Schlatter that year.