| Cael Sanderson (God reincarnate) | |
|---|---|
| High school: | Wasatch High School |
| State championships: | 4 (Utah) |
| College: | Iowa State University |
| NCAA championships: | 4 |
| Olympic team: | United States of America |
| Olympic medal: | Gold |
| Status: | Coach of Penn State University |
| Olympic medal record | ||
| Men's freestyle wrestling | ||
|---|---|---|
| Gold | Athens 2004 | 84 kg |
| World Championships | ||
| Silver | 2003 New York | 84 kg |
Cael Steven Sanderson (born June 20, 1979, in Salt Lake City, Utah), (pronounced "kale") is considered one of the greatest American amateur wrestlers of all time.[citation needed] He is the current head wrestling coach at Penn State University.[1] A 2004 Olympic champion in Athens, Greece, he went undefeated in four years of college wrestling at Iowa State University (159–0), winning four consecutive NCAA titles (1999–2002). He was the first NCAA wrestler to go undefeated with more than 100 wins. Sports Illustrated named his college career as the second most impressive college sports feat behind Jesse Owens' four Olympic gold medal world record-setting performance.[2]
Contents |
Career
High school
Cael was the third of four Sanderson brothers to win high school state wrestling titles in Utah while wrestling for Wasatch High School in Heber City, Utah. Sanderson had a 127–3[3] record with four state titles. He was coached by his father Steve. He was also an All-region selection in football.[3]
College
After graduation from Wasatch High in 1997, Sanderson matriculated at Iowa State University. He redshirted the 1997–98 season. The following season, Sanderson won all 39 matches and the NCAA title at 184 pounds (83 kg). He became the first freshman in NCAA tournament history to be named the NCAA Wrestling Team Championship's most outstanding wrestler.
Sanderson continued to have unblemished success in the 1999–00 season. He completed the season 40–0 with another NCAA title. He also won the Dan Hodge Trophy as the nation's most outstanding college wrestler. He was the first underclassman to win the Hodge Trophy. In the off season, he won the World University title in Tokyo, Japan.
As a junior, Sanderson went 40–0, raising his record to 119–0. He broke Iowa state alumnus Dan Gable's record of 100 consecutive wins. He was also named outstanding wrestler in the NCAA tournament and was the first two-time winner of the Dan Hodge Trophy.[4]
Sanderson's 2001–02 campaign was a coronation of sorts. He again went undefeated at 40–0, becoming the first NCAA wrestler to go undefeated with more than 100 wins. He became the second wrestler to win the NCAA Division I title four times, the first being Pat Smith. He also won his third Dan Hodge Trophy as outstanding wrestler.[5] Sanderson set an NCAA record with 159 wins. His success brought attention even from non-wrestling fans. Sanderson was the first wrestler since 1988's "Wheaties Search for Champions" winner, Sammy Chagolla, to be featured on Wheaties cereal boxes for his achievement. His final college accomplishments were a record of 159–0, 4 NCAA titles, 3 Dan Hodge Trophy awards, 4-time NCAA Outstanding Wrestler, and 4-time Big 12 Conference Champion.[2]
2004 Olympics
After graduation, Sanderson worked with the Iowa State wrestling team while training for the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. Sanderson won gold at the 84 kg(184.8 lbs) weight class, defeating Eui Jae Moon of South Korea in the finals.[6][7]
He was also the 2003 World Championship silver medalist, and a three-time national freestyle champion (2001–03).[8]
Iowa State's coach Bobby Douglas supervised Cael's training for the 2004 Olympics.
Coaching career
On March 29, 2006, it was announced that Bobby Douglas would step down as Iowa State coach and that Sanderson would replace him. Sanderson has been successful to date, leading his team to a runner-up finish at the NCAA Championships in his first year as head coach, and three Big 12 Conference team titles in three years.[9]
On April 17, 2009, Sanderson announced that he would become the new wrestling head coach at Penn State University.
Personal life
All four of the Sanderson boys have wrestled for Douglas at Iowa State. Cody, Cole, and Cael have all graduated while the youngest brother, Cyler, is currently a 157 pounds (71 kg) wrestler.[9][10] Cyler will finish his collegiate career at Penn State following his brother Cael.[11] Cael is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[12]
References
- ^ "Penn State Names National Wrestling Legend Cael Sanderson Head Coach of Nittany Lion Program". April 17, 2009. http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-wrestl/spec-rel/041709aaa.html. Retrieved 2009-04-17.
- ^ a b Anderson, Kelli (2002-04-01). "The Top 10: SI picks the most impressive college sports feats ever". Sports Illustrated. http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1025405/. Retrieved 2009-02-05.
- ^ a b "Media". http://www.caelsanderson.com/media/. Retrieved 2009-07-06.
- ^ Bamberger, Michael (February 5, 2001). "107-0 And Counting". Sports Illustrated. http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1021669/. Retrieved 2009-02-13.
- ^ Bechtel, Mark (April 1, 2002). "Perfect!". Sports Illustrated. http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1025404/. Retrieved 2009-02-13.
- ^ "Phenom Sanderson captures wrestling gold". Associated Press. August 30, 2004. http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/5846629/. Retrieved 2009-02-13.
- ^ Farber, Michael (September 6, 2004). "Another Streak Begins". Sports Illustrated. http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1105904/. Retrieved 2009-02-13.
- ^ Anderson, Kelli (February 24, 2003). "Can't Win 'em All". Sports Illustrated. http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1028108/. Retrieved 2009-02-13.
- ^ a b "Cael Sanderson - Head Coach Biography". Iowa State University Athletics. http://www.cyclones.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10700&ATCLID=508240&Q_SEASON=2008. Retrieved 2009-02-13.
- ^ "Covering The Quiet American". February 24, 2003. http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1028080/. Retrieved 2009-02-13.
- ^ "Penn State Finalizes 2009-10 Wrestling Recruiting Class as Intermat Ranks Group No. 6 Nationally". 7 July 2009. http://www.gopsusports.com/sports/m-wrestl/spec-rel/070709aaa.html. Retrieved 14 September 2009.
- ^ http://www.iastate.edu/IaStater/2001/may/sanderson.html
External links
| Preceded by Troy Sunderland |
Penn State Nittany Lions Wrestling Coach 2009 - Present |
Succeeded by current |
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