Cael Sanderson

Cael Norman Sanderson (Template:IPAc-en Template:Respell; 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.

Sanderson 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.<ref name="top100">Template:Cite magazine</ref>

Early life

Sanderson was born in Salt Lake City, Utah,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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 and compiled a record of 127–3.<ref name="intermatwrestle.com">Template:Cite web</ref>

Wrestling career

College

After graduating from high school, Sanderson followed his brothers, Cody and Cole, to Iowa State. After redshirting the 1997-98 college wrestling season, 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.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name="intermatwrestle.com"/> He did lose 1 match in his career while redshirting and wrestling unattached at the UNI open to Paul Glynn of Iowa. As he was redshirting and wrestling unattached, it did not count against his overall record of 159-0.

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.<ref name=":0" /> For his performance as a senior in 2002, he received the Wade Schalles Award for best collegiate pinner.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He holds the longest win-streak across all NCAA divisions.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This makes him the most accomplished collegiate wrestler ever.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2017, Sanderson was inducted into the Iowa State Hall of Fame.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Freestyle

Sanderson was a two-time US Cadet World Team Member, placing third and fourth in 1994 and 1995, respectively.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He was also a US University National Champion in 1999 and a University World Champion in 2000.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

He became the US National Champion in 2001, 2002 and 2003.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and the USA team chose to not compete in 2002.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2003, he won the Manitoba Open in Canada in February,<ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref> placed second at the World Cup in April, third at the 2003 Pan American Games<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and second at the World Championships.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2004, he once again claimed the Manitoba Open title<ref name=":1" /> and won the US Olympic Team Trials.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

While already a full-time coach at Penn State, Sanderson came out of retirement in 2011<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and took home an Ion Corneanu Memorial title,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> won the US World Team Trials<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and placed fifth at the World Championships.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2011, Sanderson was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member.<ref>Cael Sanderson. National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Retrieved September 17, 2022.</ref>

Freestyle record

Template:S-start ! colspan="7"| World Championships & Olympics |- ! Res. ! Record ! Opponent ! Score ! Date ! Event ! Location |- ! style=background:white colspan=7 |Template:Small |- |Template:No2Loss |13–3 |align=left|Template:Flagicon Albert Saritov |style="font-size:88%"|0–1, 0–3 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=6|September 17, 2011 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=6|2011 World Wrestling Championships |style="text-align:left;font-size:88%;" rowspan=6|Template:Flagicon Istanbul, Turkey |- |Template:Yes2Win |13–2 |align=left|Template:Flagicon Alireza Goudarzi |style="font-size:88%"|6–0, 1–0 |- |Template:Yes2Win |12–2 |align=left|Template:Flagicon Yermek Baiduashov |style="font-size:88%"|4–3, 0–1, 2–1 |- |Template:Yes2Win |11–2 |align=left|Template:Flagicon Yoon Chan-uk |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:No2Loss |10–2 |align=left|Template:Flagicon Sharif Sharifov |style="font-size:88%"|1-3, 1-4 |- |Template:Yes2Win |10–1 |align=left|Template:Flagicon Alejandro Gallardo |style="font-size:88%"|6–0, 7–0 |- ! style=background:white colspan=7 |Template:Small |- |Template:Yes2Win |9–1 |align=left|Template:Flagicon Moon Eui-jae |style="font-size:88%"|3–1 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=5|August 28, 2004 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=5|2004 Olympic Games |style="text-align:left;font-size:88%;" rowspan=5|Template:Flagicon Athens, Greece |- |Template:Yes2Win |8–1 |align=left|Template:Flagicon Yoel Romero |style="font-size:88%"|3–2 |- |Template:Yes2Win |7–1 |align=left|Template:Flagicon Majid Khodaei |style="font-size:88%"|6–5 |- |Template:Yes2Win |6–1 |align=left|Template:Flagicon Siarhei Borchanka |style="font-size:88%"|9–1 |- |Template:Yes2Win |5–1 |align=left|Template:Flagicon Magomed Kurugliyev |style="font-size:88%"|4–2 |- ! style=background:white colspan=7 |Template:Small |- |Template:No2Loss |4–1 |align=left|Template:Flagicon Sazhid Sazhidov |style="font-size:88%"|3–4 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=5|September 12, 2003 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=5|2003 World Wrestling Championships |style="text-align:left;font-size:88%;" rowspan=5|Template:Flagicon New York City, U.S. |- |Template:Yes2Win |4–0 |align=left|Template:Flagicon Rezav Mindorashvili |style="font-size:88%"|4–2 |- |Template:Yes2Win |3–0 |align=left|Template:Flagicon Mahmed Aghaev |style="font-size:88%"|3–0 |- |Template:Yes2Win |2–0 |align=left|Template:Flagicon Majid Khodaei |style="font-size:88%"|8–2 |- |Template:Yes2Win |1–0 |align=left|Template:Flagicon Tero Perkkioe |style="font-size:88%"|8–2 Template:End

NCAA record

Template:S-start ! colspan="8"| NCAA Championships Matches |- ! Res. ! Record ! Opponent ! Score ! Date ! Event |- ! style=background:white colspan=6 |2002 NCAA Championships Template:Gold1 at 197 |- |Template:Yes2Win |159-0 |align=left|Jon Trenge |style="font-size:88%"|MD 12-4 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=5|March 21–23, 2002 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=5|2002 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships |- |Template:Yes2Win |158-0 |align=left|Nick Preston |style="font-size:88%"|MD 18-7 |- |Template:Yes2Win |157-0 |align=left|Jason Payne |style="font-size:88%"|TF 23-8 |- |Template:Yes2Win |156-0 |align=left|Kyle Cerminara |style="font-size:88%"|Fall 6:33 |- |Template:Yes2Win |155-0 |align=left|Eric Mausser |style="font-size:88%"|Fall 3:32 |- |Template:Yes2Win |154-0 |align=left|Scott Barker |style="font-size:88%"|TF 22-7 |- |Template:Yes2Win |153-0 |align=left|Tom Grossman |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |152-0 |align=left|William Gruenwald |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |151-0 |align=left|Jon Trenge |style="font-size:88%"|6-1 |- |Template:Yes2Win |150-0 |align=left|Jason Gore |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |149-0 |align=left|Ryan Fulaas |style="font-size:88%"|Forfeit |- |Template:Yes2Win |148-0 |align=left|Kyle Smith |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |147-0 |align=left|Will Gruenwald |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |146-0 |align=left|Bill Stouffer |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |145-0 |align=left|Tom Grossman |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |144-0 |align=left|Erik Gladish |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |143-0 |align=left|Jason Payne |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |142-0 |align=left|Lee Fullhart |style="font-size:88%"|5-3 |- |Template:Yes2Win |141-0 |align=left|Jon Trenge |style="font-size:88%"|MD 16-5 |- |Template:Yes2Win |140-0 |align=left|Chris Skretkowlz |style="font-size:88%"|TF 22-5 |- |Template:Yes2Win |139-0 |align=left|Nick Curby |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |138-0 |align=left|Jim Kassner |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |137-0 |align=left|Ryan Fulsaas |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |136-0 |align=left|Jareck Horton |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |135-0 |align=left|Bart George |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |134-0 |align=left|Nick McTee |style="font-size:88%"|Forfeit |- |Template:Yes2Win |133-0 |align=left|Joe Compton |style="font-size:88%"|TF 23-7 |- |Template:Yes2Win |132-0 |align=left|Aaron Granell |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |131-0 |align=left|Brent Miller |style="font-size:88%"|TF 20-5 |- |Template:Yes2Win |130-0 |align=left|Greg Sawyer |style="font-size:88%"|TF |- |Template:Yes2Win |129-0 |align=left|Daegen Smith |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |128-0 |align=left|Peter Mosley |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |127-0 |align=left|Nick Thomas |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |126-0 |align=left|Chris Skretkowicz |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |125-0 |align=left|Chad Wallace |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |124-0 |align=left|Cris Bietz |style="font-size:88%"|TF |- |Template:Yes2Win |123-0 |align=left|Josh Broadway |style="font-size:88%"|TF |- |Template:Yes2Win |122-0 |align=left|Jeremiah Kovarik |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- ! style=background:white colspan=6 |2001 NCAA Championships Template:Gold1 at 184 lbs |- |Template:Yes2Win |121-0 |align=left|Daniel Cormier |style="font-size:88%"|8-4 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=5|March 15–17, 2001 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=5|2001 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships |- |Template:Yes2Win |120-0 |align=left|Victor Sveda |style="font-size:88%"|MD 21-7 |- |Template:Yes2Win |119-0 |align=left|Jessman Smith |style="font-size:88%"|TF 21-6 |- |Template:Yes2Win |118-0 |align=left|Jeremy Wilson |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |117-0 |align=left|Kyle Hanson |style="font-size:88%"|TF 24-9 |- |Template:Yes2Win |116-0 |align=left|Scott Barker |style="font-size:88%"|TF 22-7 |- |Template:Yes2Win |115-0 |align=left|Daniel Cormier |style="font-size:88%"|8-3 |- |Template:Yes2Win |114-0 |align=left|Ry Stone |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |113-0 |align=left|Kyle Hansen |style="font-size:88%"|MD 21-8 |- |Template:Yes2Win |112-0 |align=left|Matt Fletcher |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |111-0 |align=left|R.D. Pursell |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |110-0 |align=left|Ry Stone |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |109-0 |align=left|Josh Lambrecht |style="font-size:88%"|TF 21-10 |- |Template:Yes2Win |108-0 |align=left|Shawn Scannel |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |107-0 |align=left|Daniel Cormier |style="font-size:88%"|10-3 |- |Template:Yes2Win |106-0 |align=left|Jessman Smith |style="font-size:88%"|TF |- |Template:Yes2Win |105-0 |align=left|Andy Hrovat |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |104-0 |align=left|Daniel Cormier |style="font-size:88%"|MD 14-3 |- |Template:Yes2Win |103-0 |align=left|Josh Lambrecht |style="font-size:88%"|MD 16-8 |- |Template:Yes2Win |102-0 |align=left|Ed Aliakseyenka |style="font-size:88%"|TF |- |Template:Yes2Win |101-0 |align=left|Ralph Everett |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |100-0 |align=left|Jason Rossotti |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |99-0 |align=left|Ralph DeNisco |style="font-size:88%"|MD 17-6 |- |Template:Yes2Win |98-0 |align=left|Francis Volpe |style="font-size:88%"|TF |- |Template:Yes2Win |97-0 |align=left|Nate Patrick |style="font-size:88%"|MD 16-7 |- |Template:Yes2Win |96-0 |align=left|Viktor Sveda |style="font-size:88%"|MD 14-5 |- |Template:Yes2Win |95-0 |align=left|Francis Volpe |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |94-0 |align=left|Marcus Schontube |style="font-size:88%"|16-10 |- |Template:Yes2Win |93-0 |align=left|Josh Bocks |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |92-0 |align=left|Jessman Smith |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |91-0 |align=left|Jeff Pangborn |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |90-0 |align=left|Adam Kellogg |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |89-0 |align=left|Bert Watford |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |88-0 |align=left|Paul Okins |style="font-size:88%"|TF 19-3 |- |Template:Yes2Win |87-0 |align=left|Ben Blood |style="font-size:88%"|TF 18-3 |- |Template:Yes2Win |86-0 |align=left|Anton Talamantes |style="font-size:88%"|MD 20-6 |- |Template:Yes2Win |85-0 |align=left|Mike Odle |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |84-0 |align=left|Viktor Sveda |style="font-size:88%"|MD 16-3 |- |Template:Yes2Win |83-0 |align=left|Josh Lambrecht |style="font-size:88%"|MD 12-4 |- |Template:Yes2Win |82-0 |align=left|Ralph DeNisco |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |81-0 |align=left|Nick Curcio |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- ! style=background:white colspan=6 |2000 NCAA Championships Template:Gold1 at 184 lbs |- |Template:Yes2Win |80-0 |align=left|Vertus Jones |style="font-size:88%"|MD 19-6 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=5|March 16–18, 2000 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=5|2000 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships |- |Template:Yes2Win |79-0 |align=left|Brandon Eggum |style="font-size:88%"|MD 16-5 |- |Template:Yes2Win |78-0 |align=left|Rob Rohn |style="font-size:88%"|TF 20-5 |- |Template:Yes2Win |77-0 |align=left|Dax Pecaro |style="font-size:88%"|TF 21-6 |- |Template:Yes2Win |76-0 |align=left|Adam Schaaf |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |75-0 |align=left|Daniel Cormier |style="font-size:88%"|8-4 |- |Template:Yes2Win |74-0 |align=left|Tom Grossman |style="font-size:88%"|MD 17-7 |- |Template:Yes2Win |73-0 |align=left|Kyle Hansen |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |72-0 |align=left|Charles McTorry |style="font-size:88%"|TF 22-6 |- |Template:Yes2Win |71-0 |align=left|Mike Marshall |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |70-0 |align=left|John Maze |style="font-size:88%"|TF 27-10 |- |Template:Yes2Win |69-0 |align=left|Brandon Eggum |style="font-size:88%"|6-1 |- |Template:Yes2Win |68-0 |align=left|Tom Grossman |style="font-size:88%"|TF 19-4 |- |Template:Yes2Win |67-0 |align=left|Daniel Cormier |style="font-size:88%"|MD 20-9 |- |Template:Yes2Win |66-0 |align=left|Brandon Eggum |style="font-size:88%"|MD 8-0 |- |Template:Yes2Win |65-0 |align=left|Tom Grossman |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |64-0 |align=left|Lionel Halsey |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |63-0 |align=left|Jeff Knupp |style="font-size:88%"|TF 21-6 |- |Template:Yes2Win |62-0 |align=left|Rob Anspach |style="font-size:88%"|Forfeit |- |Template:Yes2Win |61-0 |align=left|Dave Murray |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |60-0 |align=left|Cash Edwards |style="font-size:88%"|TF |- |Template:Yes2Win |59-0 |align=left|Isaac Weber |style="font-size:88%"|MD 16-7 |- |Template:Yes2Win |58-0 |align=left|Nate Patrick |style="font-size:88%"|7-2 |- |Template:Yes2Win |57-0 |align=left|Kevin Vogel |style="font-size:88%"|MD 17-5 |- |Template:Yes2Win |56-0 |align=left|Lionel Halsey |style="font-size:88%"|5-1 |- |Template:Yes2Win |55-0 |align=left|Sean Salmon |style="font-size:88%"|TF 20-5 |- |Template:Yes2Win |54-0 |align=left|Brian Falciglia |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |53-0 |align=left|Joe Cotant |style="font-size:88%"|TF 20-5 |- |Template:Yes2Win |52-0 |align=left|Donavan True |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |51-0 |align=left|Paul Jenn |style="font-size:88%"|DQ |- |Template:Yes2Win |50-0 |align=left|Joel Schrimpf |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |49-0 |align=left|Nathan Ackerman |style="font-size:88%"|TF 17-2 |- |Template:Yes2Win |48-0 |align=left|B.J. Shelley |style="font-size:88%"|TF 22-6 |- |Template:Yes2Win |47-0 |align=left|Chad Karnal |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |46-0 |align=left|Joe Terrill |style="font-size:88%"|TF 23-7 |- |Template:Yes2Win |45-0 |align=left|Damion Hahn |style="font-size:88%"|4-3 |- |Template:Yes2Win |44-0 |align=left|Jessman Smith |style="font-size:88%"|TF 17-2 |- |Template:Yes2Win |43-0 |align=left|Carson Andorf |style="font-size:88%"|MD 17-7 |- |Template:Yes2Win |42-0 |align=left|Ty Swarm |style="font-size:88%"|TF 24-5 |- |Template:Yes2Win |41-0 |align=left|Brandon Eggum |style="font-size:88%"|7-4 |- |Template:Yes2Win |40-0 |align=left|Todd Schmauss |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |39-0 |align=left|Drew Bouwman |style="font-size:88%"|20-5 |- |Template:Yes2Win |38-0 |align=left|Ryan Rettke |style="font-size:88%"|TF 26-11 |- ! style=background:white colspan=6 |1999 NCAA Championships Template:Gold1 at 184 lbs |- |Template:Yes2Win |37-0 |align=left|Brandon Eggum |style="font-size:88%"|6-1 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=5|March 18–20, 1999 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=5|1999 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships |- |Template:Yes2Win |36-0 |align=left|Brad Vering |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |35-0 |align=left|Andy Hrovat |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |34-0 |align=left|Nate Patrick |style="font-size:88%"|MD 18-6 |- |Template:Yes2Win |33-0 |align=left|Josh Dideon |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |32-0 |align=left|Brad Vering |style="font-size:88%"|9-5 |- |Template:Yes2Win |31-0 |align=left|Tom Grossman |style="font-size:88%"|MD 13-5 |- |Template:Yes2Win |30-0 |align=left|Ken Bigley |style="font-size:88%"|TF |- |Template:Yes2Win |29-0 |align=left|Casey Strand |style="font-size:88%"|6-2 |- |Template:Yes2Win |28-0 |align=left|Tony Spiker |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |27-0 |align=left|Jason Moore |style="font-size:88%"|MD 19-6 |- |Template:Yes2Win |26-0 |align=left|Matt Carpenter |style="font-size:88%"|TF 22-7 |- |Template:Yes2Win |25-0 |align=left|Scott Coleman |style="font-size:88%"|MD 17-7 |- |Template:Yes2Win |24-0 |align=left|Vertus Jones |style="font-size:88%"|6-5 |- |Template:Yes2Win |23-0 |align=left|Brad Vering |style="font-size:88%"|Forfeit |- |Template:Yes2Win |22-0 |align=left|Tom Grossman |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |21-0 |align=left|Mark Munoz |style="font-size:88%"|MD 10-2 |- |Template:Yes2Win |20-0 |align=left|Paul Jenn |style="font-size:88%"|TF MD 10-2 |- |Template:Yes2Win |19-0 |align=left|Tom Grossman |style="font-size:88%"|MD 20-8 |- |Template:Yes2Win |18-0 |align=left|Mark Munoz |style="font-size:88%"|5-1 |- |Template:Yes2Win |17-0 |align=left|Casey Strand |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |16-0 |align=left|Tom Ciezki |style="font-size:88%"|6-3 |- |Template:Yes2Win |15-0 |align=left|Nate Patrick |style="font-size:88%"|7-2 |- |Template:Yes2Win |14-0 |align=left|Ryan Rettke |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |13-0 |align=left|John Van Doren |style="font-size:88%"|11-4 |- |Template:Yes2Win |12-0 |align=left|Aaron Simpson |style="font-size:88%"|TF 9-3 |- |Template:Yes2Win |11-0 |align=left|Greg Gingeleskie |style="font-size:88%"|5-0 |- |Template:Yes2Win |10-0 |align=left|James Brimm |style="font-size:88%"|5-0 |- |Template:Yes2Win |9-0 |align=left|Mike Gadsby |style="font-size:88%"|TF 19-4 |- |Template:Yes2Win |8-0 |align=left|Tom Ciezki |style="font-size:88%"|TF 23-7 |- |Template:Yes2Win |7-0 |align=left|Paul Jenn |style="font-size:88%"|TF 19-4 |- |Template:Yes2Win |6-0 |align=left|William Rufis |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |5-0 |align=left|B.J. Shelley |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |4-0 |align=left|Brant LaGrange |style="font-size:88%"|MD 21-8 |- |Template:Yes2Win |3-0 |align=left|Steve Burleson |style="font-size:88%"|Fall |- |Template:Yes2Win |2-0 |align=left|Joe Brougard |style="font-size:88%"|TF 20-5 |- |Template:Yes2Win |1-0 |align=left|George Flannick |style="font-size:88%"|TF 20-5 |- Template:End

<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Coaching career

Iowa State

Template:Further Sanderson began his wrestling coaching career with the season ending in 2004 as a special assistant at 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 three Big 12 conference championships and NCAA Division I finishes of second, fifth, and third overall.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He also coached his wrestlers to two individual NCAA Division I national titles.

Penn State

Template:Further Before the 2009 season ended, Sanderson became the head coach of Penn State's wrestling team. Sanderson's Penn State teams have won twelve NCAA Division I team titles.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> During that time, he also coached his wrestlers to 40 individual NCAA Division I titles. At the 2024 NCAA Wrestling Championships, Sanderson's Nittany Lions set an NCAA wrestling record of 172.5 points and broke that record during the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships with 177 points.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Coaching results

Template:S-start ! colspan=6| Coaching Record |- ! Season ! Team Finish ! Dual Record ! All Americans ! National Champions |- ! style=background:white colspan=5|Iowa State University |- | style="background:white; font-size:88%;"|2007 |style="font-size:88%"|Template:Silver2 |style="font-size:88%"|13-3-0 |style="font-size:88%"|4 |style="font-size:88%"|1 |- | style="background:white; font-size:88%;"|2008 |style="font-size:88%"|5th |style="font-size:88%"|16-4-0 |style="font-size:88%"|7 |style="font-size:88%"|0 |- | style="background:white; font-size:88%;"|2009 |style="font-size:88%"|Template:Bronze3 |style="font-size:88%"|15-3-0 |style="font-size:88%"|4 |style="font-size:88%"|1 |- | colspan="2" style="white; font-size:88%;"|Iowa State | style="background:white; font-size:88%;"|44-10-0 | style="background:white; font-size:88%;"|15 | style="background:white; font-size:88%;"|2 |- ! style=background:white colspan=5|Pennsylvania State University |- | style="background:white; font-size:88%;"|2010 |style="font-size:88%"|9th |style="font-size:88%"|13-6-1 |style="font-size:88%"|3 |style="font-size:88%"|0 |- | style="background:white; font-size:88%;"|2011 |style="font-size:88%"|Template:Gold1 |style="font-size:88%"|17-1-1 |style="font-size:88%"|5 |style="font-size:88%"|1 |- | style="background:white; font-size:88%;"|2012 |style="font-size:88%"|Template:Gold1 |style="font-size:88%"|13-1-0 |style="font-size:88%"|6 |style="font-size:88%"|3 |- | style="background:white; font-size:88%;"|2013 |style="font-size:88%"|Template:Gold1 |style="font-size:88%"|13-1-0 |style="font-size:88%"|5 |style="font-size:88%"|2 |- | style="background:white; font-size:88%;"|2014 |style="font-size:88%"|Template:Gold1 |style="font-size:88%"|15-1-0 |style="font-size:88%"|7 |style="font-size:88%"|2 |- | style="background:white; font-size:88%;"|2015 |style="font-size:88%"|6th |style="font-size:88%"|11-4-0 |style="font-size:88%"|5 |style="font-size:88%"|1 |- | style="background:white; font-size:88%;"|2016 |style="font-size:88%"|Template:Gold1 |style="font-size:88%"|16-0-0 |style="font-size:88%"|6 |style="font-size:88%"|2 |- | style="background:white; font-size:88%;"|2017 |style="font-size:88%"|Template:Gold1 |style="font-size:88%"|14-0-0 |style="font-size:88%"|6 |style="font-size:88%"|5 |- | style="background:white; font-size:88%;"|2018 |style="font-size:88%"|Template:Gold1 |style="font-size:88%"|14-0-0 |style="font-size:88%"|8 |style="font-size:88%"|4 |- | style="background:white; font-size:88%;"|2019 |style="font-size:88%"|Template:Gold1 |style="font-size:88%"|14-0-0 |style="font-size:88%"|7 |style="font-size:88%"|3 |- | style="background:white; font-size:88%;"|2020 |style="font-size:88%"|DNC |style="font-size:88%"|12-2-0 |style="font-size:88%"|5 |style="font-size:88%"|0 |- | style="background:white; font-size:88%;"|2021 |style="font-size:88%"|Template:Silver2 |style="font-size:88%"|6-0-0 |style="font-size:88%"|6 |style="font-size:88%"|4 |- | style="background:white; font-size:88%;"|2022 |style="font-size:88%"|Template:Gold1 |style="font-size:88%"|17-0-0 |style="font-size:88%"|6 |style="font-size:88%"|5 |- | style="background:white; font-size:88%;"|2023 |style="font-size:88%"|Template:Gold1 |style="font-size:88%"|16-0-0 |style="font-size:88%"|8 |style="font-size:88%"|2 |- | style="background:white; font-size:88%;"|2024 |style="font-size:88%"|Template:Gold1 |style="font-size:88%"|12-0-0 |style="font-size:88%"|8 |style="font-size:88%"|4 |- | style="background:white; font-size:88%;"|2025 |style="font-size:88%"|Template:Gold1 |style="font-size:88%"|15-0-0 |style="font-size:88%"|10 |style="font-size:88%"|2 |- | colspan="2" style="background:white; font-size:88%;"|Penn State | style="background:white; font-size:88%;"|218-16-2 | style="background:white; font-size:88%;"|101 | style="background:white; font-size:88%;"|40 |- | colspan="2" style="background:LIGHTgrey; font-size:88%;"|Career | style="background:LIGHTgrey; font-size:88%;"|262-26-2 | style="background:LIGHTgrey; font-size:88%;"|116 | style="background:LIGHTgrey; font-size:88%;"|42 Template:End

Awards and honors

2011

• Template:Gold1 Ion Corneanu Memorial

2004

• Template:Gold1 Summer Olympics
• Template:Gold1 Manitoba Open
• John Smith Award as the Freestyle Wrestler of the Year<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

2003

• Template:Silver2 World Wrestling Championships
• Template:Bronze3 Pan American Games
• Template:Gold1 Manitoba Open
• John Smith Award as the Freestyle Wrestler of the Year<ref name="themat1">Template:Cite web</ref>

2002

• Best Male College Athlete ESPY Award
• Dan Hodge Trophy winner
• NCAA Division I Championships Outstanding Wrestler
• Wade Schalles Award winner
• Template:Gold1 NCAA Division I
• Template:Gold1 Big 12 Conference

2001

• Dan Hodge Trophy winner
• NCAA Division I Championships Outstanding Wrestler
• Template:Gold1 NCAA Division I
• Template:Gold1 Big 12 Conference

2000

• Dan Hodge Trophy winner
• NCAA Division I Championships Outstanding Wrestler
• Template:Gold1 NCAA Division I
• Template:Gold1 Big 12 Conference

1999

• NCAA Division I Championships Outstanding Wrestler
• Template:Gold1 NCAA Division I
• Template:Gold1 Big 12 Conference

Other honors

• Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award in Utah<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Glen Brand inductee<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Iowa Sports Hall of Fame inductee<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
• Iowa State Cyclones Hall of Fame inductee
• National Wrestling Hall of Fame Distinguished Member
• NCAA 75th Anniversary Wrestling Team member<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Sports Illustrated cover appearance<ref>Palmer, Mark. (March 13, 2017). 15 years ago: Cael concludes perfect college career Template:Webarchive. InterMat Wrestling. Retrieved September 17, 2022.</ref>
• Utah Sports Hall of Fame inductee<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Wheaties cereal box appearance

See also

• List of Pennsylvania State University Olympians
• Aleksandr Karelin

External links

• Template:IWD
• Template:Olympics.com profile
• Template:Olympedia
• Template:Instagram
• Template:Webarchive
• Template:Webarchive