Slaton's eligibility issue advances to final phase

The ongoing saga of University of Iowa wrestler Joe Slaton appears to be close to an end. The situation regarding his academic eligibility is being reviewed by UI President Sally Mason, according to Matt Shaver, Slaton's stepfather. Slaton faces ineligibility for the remainder of his senior season.

"We're waiting to hear from Sally Mason tomorrow," Shaver said in a phone interview Thursday. "She's just reviewing everything. That's all she's doing."

Those involved have been tight-lipped about the events. A voice message left for Slaton on Thursday was returned with a text message declining comment.

"I really can't say anything until after her ruling," Shaver said. "We'll see what she says tomorrow and go from there."

Iowa Sports Information Director passed on this statement from AD Gary Barta, “Joey has been working through a University review process. That process has been completed. As a result of the findings and in conjunction with Big Ten rules, he is not certified to compete.”

Slaton, a four-time state finalists and two-time state champion for Cedar Rapids Kennedy, was a national reunner-up at 133 pounds in 2008 in St. Louis, losing to Oklahoma State's Coleman Scott. Slaton hasn't been a regular in the lineup since then, wrestling one varsity match last year which was a loss to Iowa State's Nick Fanthorpe.

Slaton posted a 10-1 record at 141 this season, competing unattached including four major decisions and two technical falls. According to match-by-match results on the UI athletics web site, Slaton won the Harold Nichols Open and was third at the Midlands Championships.