Cael Sanderson
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| Full name | Cael Norman Sanderson | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | June 20, 1979 Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 84 kg (185 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Country | United States | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Wrestling | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Event(s) | Freestyle and Folkstyle | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| College team | Iowa State | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Club | Nittany Lion Wrestling Club Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Team | USA | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coached by | Bobby Douglas | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Now coaching | Penn State University | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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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).
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.[1]
Early life
[edit]Sanderson was 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
[edit]College
[edit]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.[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.[2]
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.[4] He holds the longest win-streak across all NCAA divisions.[5] This makes him the most accomplished collegiate wrestler ever.[6][7]
In 2017, Sanderson was inducted into the Iowa State Hall of Fame.[8]
Freestyle
[edit]Sanderson was a two-time US Cadet World Team Member, placing third and fourth in 1994 and 1995, respectively.[9] He was also a US University National Champion in 1999 and a University World Champion in 2000.[10]
He became the US National Champion in 2001, 2002 and 2003.[11] 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,[12] and the USA team chose to not compete in 2002.[13]
In 2003, he won the Manitoba Open in Canada in February,[14] placed second at the World Cup in April, third at the 2003 Pan American Games[15] and second at the World Championships.[16] In 2004, he once again claimed the Manitoba Open title[14] and won the US Olympic Team Trials.[17]
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.[18]
While already a full-time coach at Penn State, Sanderson came out of retirement in 2011[19] and took home an Ion Corneanu Memorial title,[20] won the US World Team Trials[21] and placed fifth at the World Championships.[22]
In 2011, Sanderson was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Member.[23]
Freestyle record
[edit]
NCAA record
[edit]Coaching career
[edit]Iowa State
[edit]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.[28] He also coached his wrestlers to two individual NCAA Division I national titles.
Penn State
[edit]Before the 2009 season ended, Sanderson became the head coach of Penn State's wrestling team. Sanderson's Penn State teams have won eleven NCAA Division I team titles.[29] During that time, he also coached his wrestlers to 39 individual NCAA Division I titles. At the 2024 NCAA Wrestling Championships, Sanderson's Nittany Lions set an NCAA wrestling record of 172.5 points.[30]
Coaching results
[edit]
Awards and honors
[edit]- 2011
Ion Corneanu Memorial
- 2004
- Summer Olympics
- Manitoba Open
- John Smith Award as the Freestyle Wrestler of the Year[31]
- 2003
World Wrestling Championships
Pan American Games- Manitoba Open
- John Smith Award as the Freestyle Wrestler of the Year[32]
- 2002
- Best Male College Athlete ESPY Award
- Dan Hodge Trophy winner
- NCAA Division I Championships Outstanding Wrestler
- Wade Schalles Award winner
- NCAA Division I
- Big 12 Conference
- 2001
- Dan Hodge Trophy winner
- NCAA Division I Championships Outstanding Wrestler
- NCAA Division I
- Big 12 Conference
- 2000
- Dan Hodge Trophy winner
- NCAA Division I Championships Outstanding Wrestler
- NCAA Division I
- Big 12 Conference
- 1999
- NCAA Division I Championships Outstanding Wrestler
- NCAA Division I
- Big 12 Conference
Other honors
[edit]- Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award in Utah[33]
- Glen Brand inductee[34]
- Iowa Sports Hall of Fame inductee[35]
- Iowa State Cyclones Hall of Fame inductee
- National Wrestling Hall of Fame Distinguished Member
- NCAA 75th Anniversary Wrestling Team member[36]
- Sports Illustrated cover appearance[37]
- Utah Sports Hall of Fame inductee[38]
- Wheaties cereal box appearance
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Anderson, Kelli (2002-04-01). "The Top 10: SI picks the most impressive college sports feats ever". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2009-02-05.
- ^ a b "15 years ago: Cael concludes perfect college career". InterMat. Archived from the original on 2021-10-27. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
- ^ a b "Cael Sanderson: College statistics, records, championships | NCAA.com". www.ncaa.com. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
- ^ "Schalles Award Winners". WIN magazine. Retrieved 2023-04-28.
- ^ "NCAA Wrestling Unbeaten Streak Leaders". mwolverine.com. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
- ^ "NCAA weighs in: Top 5 NCAA wrestlers of all time". InterMat. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
- ^ "Ranking top college wrestlers of all time". InterMat. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
- ^ "Cael Sanderson (2017) - Hall of Fame". Iowa State University Athletics. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
- ^ "Cael Sanderson (State College, PA) | Trackwrestling Profile". Trackwrestling. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
- ^ "Cael Sanderson named U.S. Men's Freestyle World Team coach | Penn State University". news.psu.edu. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
- ^ "BeUndefeated.com - Undefeated Sport Nutrition – Sport Cookies – Custom Sport Drink". beundefeated.com. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
- ^ "EGGUM, PAULSON CLAIM SILVER MEDALS AT WORLD WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS". University of Minnesota Athletics. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
- ^ "Cael Sanderson, 3-time Hodge Trophy winner". WIN Magazine. 2010-10-07. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
- ^ a b "Cael Sanderson". Key Speakers Bureau. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
- ^ Grundmeier, Lucas. "Overtime loss for Sanderson in Pan American Games semifinals". Iowa State Daily. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
- ^ "Cael Sanderson loses final at World Championships". Iowa State Daily. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Perfection: Sanderson wins wrestling gold". ESPN.com. 2004-08-28. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
- ^ Schulte, Scott (2011-07-28). "Cael Sanderson excited to be back on the wrestling mat". Deseret News. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
- ^ "Cael Sanderson captures title at Ion Corneanu Memorial in Romania". Team USA. August 6, 2011. Archived from the original on November 4, 2020.
- ^ "Sanderson wins spot in worlds with trials title". ESPN.com. 2011-06-12. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
- ^ "Sanderson Takes Fifth at World Championship and Varner Wins Bronze". Penn State University Athletics. 17 September 2011. Retrieved 2020-10-29.
- ^ Cael Sanderson. National Wrestling Hall of Fame. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
- ^ "Brackets". www.wrestlingstats.com. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
- ^ Yumpu.com. "1999 69th NCAA Wrestling Tournament 3/18/1999 ... - Wrestling Stats". yumpu.com. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
- ^ "Cael Sanderson: College statistics, records, championships | NCAA.com". wwwcache.ncaa.com. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
- ^ "USATODAY.com - Cael Sanderson's perfect record". usatoday30.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2021-10-23.
- ^ "Cael Sanderson Bio :: Penn State :: Official Athletic Site". Gopsusports.com. Archived from the original on 2016-07-08. Retrieved 2018-04-22.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Wrestling wins national championship, crowns four individual champions". psu.edu. 2024-03-24. Retrieved 2024-10-22.[dead link]
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award". nwhof.org. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
- ^ "Glen Brand Inductee". 2024-01-22. Archived from the original on 2024-01-22. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "National Collegiate Athletic Association - Press Release Archive". 2024-01-22. Archived from the original on 2024-01-22. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
- ^ Palmer, Mark. (March 13, 2017). 15 years ago: Cael concludes perfect college career Archived 2019-10-17 at the Wayback Machine. InterMat Wrestling. Retrieved September 17, 2022.
- ^ "Cael Sanderson – Utah Sports Hall of Fame Foundation". Retrieved 2024-01-22.
External links
[edit]- Cael Sanderson at the International Wrestling Database
- Cael Sanderson at Olympics.com
- Cael Sanderson at Olympedia (archive)
- Cael Sanderson on Instagram
- Cael Sanderson Penn State Bio (gopsusports.com) at the Wayback Machine (archived July 8, 2016)
- Cael Sanderson Wrestling Technique (thewrestlingtalk.com) at the Wayback Machine (archived February 20, 2011)
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- 1979 births
- Living people
- American Latter Day Saints
- American male sport wrestlers
- American wrestling coaches
- Iowa State Cyclones wrestlers
- Iowa State Cyclones wrestling coaches
- Medalists at the 2003 Pan American Games
- Medalists at the 2004 Summer Olympics
- Olympic gold medalists for the United States in wrestling
- Pan American Games bronze medalists for the United States in wrestling
- Penn State Nittany Lions wrestling coaches
- People from Heber City, Utah
- Sportspeople from the Salt Lake City metropolitan area
- Sportspeople from Salt Lake City
- World Wrestling Championships medalists
- Wrestlers at the 2003 Pan American Games
- Wrestlers at the 2004 Summer Olympics
- 21st-century American sportsmen