Cael Sanderson

Cael Norman Sanderson (/ˈkeɪl/ KAYL; born June 20, 1979) is an American former folkstyle and freestyle wrestler who is the current head coach of Penn State's wrestling team. As a wrestler, he won an Olympic gold medal and was undefeated in four years of college wrestling at Iowa State (159–0), becoming a four-time NCAA Division I champion (1999–2002). He is the only wrestler in NCAA Division I history to go undefeated in official matches with more than 100 wins. Sports Illustrated named his college career as the second most impressive college sports feat of all-time, behind the setting of four world records by Jesse Owens in a single hour at the 1935 Big Ten track and field conference championship meet.[1]

Cael Sanderson
Weight84 kg (185 lb)
Born (1979-06-20) June 20, 1979
Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.
High schoolWasatch (UT)
State championships4 (Utah)
CollegeIowa State
NCAA championships14 (4 competing, 10 coaching)
Olympic teamUnited States
Olympic medalGold
StatusHead coach for Penn State wrestling
Medal record
Men's freestyle wrestling
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place2004 Athens84 kg
World Championships
Silver medal – second place 2003 New York84 kg
World Cup
Gold medal – first place 2003 Boise 84 kg
Pan American Games
Bronze medal – third place 2003 Santo Domingo 84 kg
University World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2000 Tokyo 85 kg
Cadet World Championships
Bronze medal – third place 1994 Frankfort 55 kg
Collegiate Wrestling
Representing the Iowa State Cyclones
NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships
Gold medal – first place1999 State College184 lb
Gold medal – first place2000 St. Louis184 lb
Gold medal – first place2001 Iowa City184 lb
Gold medal – first place2002 Albany197 lb
Big 12 Championships
Gold medal – first place1999 Ames184 lb
Gold medal – first place2000 Lincoln184 lb
Gold medal – first place2001 Stillwater184 lb
Gold medal – first place2002 Norman197 lb

Early life

Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to Steve and Debbie Sanderson, Cael attended Wasatch High School in Heber City, Utah, where he was coached by his father, a former wrestler at Brigham Young University. As a high school wrestler, Sanderson was a four-time Utah state champion (1994–97) and compiled a record of 127–3.[2]

Wrestling career

College

Upon graduation, Sanderson followed his brothers, Cody and Cole, to Iowa State. After redshirting in 1997-98, Sanderson won all 39 of his matches to win his first NCAA and Big 12 Conference titles at 184 pounds. He was also the first freshman in NCAA history to be named the Outstanding Wrestler at nationals.[3] His next three seasons were virtually identical, compiling 40 wins and no losses in each and finishing with the only perfect record in NCAA Division I history at 159-0. By winning all of his matches, he became only the second wrestler in history to that point to win four NCAA Division I titles. He was also named the Outstanding Wrestler in all NCAA tournaments he competed in.[4]

Sanderson was a three-time Dan Hodge Trophy winner (collegiate wrestling's equivalent to the Heisman Trophy), being the first to win the award multiple times and the only person to win it three times.[3] For his performance as a senior in 2002, he received the Wade Schalles Award for best collegiate pinner.[5] He holds the longest win-streak across all NCAA divisions.[6] This makes him the most accomplished collegiate wrestler ever.[7][8]

In 2017, Sanderson was inducted into the Iowa State Hall of Fame.[9]

Freestyle

Sanderson was a two-time US Cadet World Team Member, placing third and fourth in 1994 and 1995, respectively.[10] He was also a US University National Champion in 1999 and a University World Champion in 2000.[11]

He became the US National Champion in 2001, 2002 and 2003.[12] He was also an original US World Team Member in 2001 and 2002, however, he chose not to participate at the 01' World Championships to focus in folkstyle,[13] and the USA team chose to not compete in 2002.[14]

In 2003, he won the Manitoba Open in Canada in February,[15] placed second at the World Cup in April, third at the 2003 Pan American Games[16] and second at the World Championships.[17] In 2004, he once again claimed the Manitoba Open title[15] and won the US Olympic Team Trials.[18]

At the 2004 Summer Olympics, Sanderson claimed wins over Magomed Kurugliyev, Siarhei Borchanka, Majid Khodaei, Yoel Romero and Moon Eui-jae to become an Olympic Gold medalist in Athens, Greece.[19]

While already a full-time coach at Penn State, Sanderson came out of retirement in 2011[20] and took home an Ion Corneanu Memorial title,[21] won the US World Team Trials[22] and placed fifth at the World Championships.[23]

In 2011, Sanderson was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member.[24]

NCAA record


[25][26][27][28]

Coaching career

Iowa State

Sanderson began his wrestling coaching career with the season ending in 2004 as a special assistant for Iowa State. After short stints in associate head coaching positions, he became the head coach for the season ending in 2007. In three seasons, Sanderson led Iowa State to NCAA Division I finishes of second, fifth, and third overall.[29] He also coached his wrestlers to two individual NCAA Division I national titles.

Penn State

Before the 2009 season ended, Sanderson became the head coach of Penn State's wrestling team. As of 2023, Sanderson's Penn State teams have won ten NCAA Division I team titles.[30] During that time, he also coached his wrestlers to 34 individual NCAA Division I titles.

Awards and honors
2011
  • 1st place, gold medalist(s) Ion Corneanu Memorial
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999

Other honors

See also

References
  1. Anderson, Kelli (2002-04-01). "The Top 10: SI picks the most impressive college sports feats ever". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2009-02-05.
  2. "15 years ago: Cael concludes perfect college career". InterMat. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
  3. "Cael Sanderson: College statistics, records, championships | NCAA.com". www.ncaa.com. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
  4. "15 years ago: Cael concludes perfect college career". InterMat. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
  5. "Schalles Award Winners". WIN magazine. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
  6. "NCAA Wrestling Unbeaten Streak Leaders". mwolverine.com. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
  7. "NCAA weighs in: Top 5 NCAA wrestlers of all time". InterMat. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
  8. "Ranking top college wrestlers of all time". InterMat. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
  9. "Cael Sanderson (2017) - Hall of Fame". Iowa State University Athletics. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
  10. "Cael Sanderson (State College, PA) | Trackwrestling Profile". Trackwrestling. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
  11. "Cael Sanderson named U.S. Men's Freestyle World Team coach | Penn State University". news.psu.edu. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
  12. "BeUndefeated.com - Undefeated Sport Nutrition – Sport Cookies – Custom Sport Drink". beundefeated.com. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
  13. "EGGUM, PAULSON CLAIM SILVER MEDALS AT WORLD WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS". University of Minnesota Athletics. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
  14. "Cael Sanderson, 3-time Hodge Trophy winner". WIN Magazine. 2010-10-07. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
  15. "Cael Sanderson". Key Speakers Bureau. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
  16. Grundmeier, Lucas. "Overtime loss for Sanderson in Pan American Games semifinals". Iowa State Daily. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
  17. "Cael Sanderson loses final at World Championships". Iowa State Daily. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
  18. "Match of the Day: Cael Sanderson defeats Lee Fulhart in match three to make the 2004 Olympic Team". Team USA. May 1, 2020. Archived from the original on November 2, 2020.
  19. "Perfection: Sanderson wins wrestling gold". ESPN.com. 2004-08-28. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
  20. Schulte, Scott (2011-07-28). "Cael Sanderson excited to be back on the wrestling mat". Deseret News. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
  21. "Cael Sanderson captures title at Ion Corneanu Memorial in Romania". Team USA. August 6, 2011. Archived from the original on November 4, 2020.
  22. "Sanderson wins spot in worlds with trials title". ESPN.com. 2011-06-12. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
  23. "Sanderson Takes Fifth at World Championship and Varner Wins Bronze". Penn State University Athletics. 17 September 2011. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
  24. Cael Sanderson. National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
  25. "Brackets". www.wrestlingstats.com. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
  26. Yumpu.com. "1999 69th NCAA Wrestling Tournament 3/18/1999 ... - Wrestling Stats". yumpu.com. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
  27. "Cael Sanderson: College statistics, records, championships | NCAA.com". wwwcache.ncaa.com. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
  28. "USATODAY.com - Cael Sanderson's perfect record". usatoday30.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
  29. "Cael Sanderson Bio :: Penn State :: Official Athletic Site". Gopsusports.com. Archived from the original on 2016-07-08. Retrieved 2018-04-22.
  30. "WR: Two Lions Up for the Hodge! :: Penn State :: Official Athletic Site". Gopsusports.com. 2018-03-20. Archived from the original on 2018-05-03. Retrieved 2018-04-22.
  31. Abbott, Gary (2005-04-28). "Cael Sanderson named 2004 John Smith Award winner, as the Freestyle Wrestler of the Year by USA Wres | TheMat.com - USA Wrestling". Content.themat.com. Archived from the original on 2018-03-24. Retrieved 2018-04-22.
  32. Abbott, Gary. "Cael Sanderson named 2003 John Smith Award winner, as the Freestyle Wrestler of the Year by USA Wres | TheMat.com - USA Wrestling". Content.themat.com. Archived from the original on 2018-03-24. Retrieved 2018-04-22.
  33. Hamilton, Andy (21 July 2012). "Cael Sanderson elected to Des Moines Sunday Register's Iowa Sports Hall of Fame". Des Moines Register. Archived from the original on 21 January 2013. Retrieved 22 July 2012.
  34. Palmer, Mark. (March 13, 2017). 15 years ago: Cael concludes perfect college career. InterMat Wrestling. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
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