SOURCE: www.desmoinesregister.com

April 11, 2016

IOWA CITY, Ia. — Jake Varner thought he had taken steps during the past year that would lead him back down a path to Olympic gold.

His coaches implemented changes designed to defeat Kyle Snyder. They picked apart video of the reigning World champion. They altered Varner's training routine for 2016, too.

They got results, as well.

Varner outplaced Snyder at the prestigious and ultra-competitive Yarygin Memorial in Russia earlier this year. They both lost to Russian Anzor Boltukaev. Varner placed second, one spot ahead of Snyder.