Cael Norman Sanderson ( ; 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 Olympic or Olympics may refer to Sports Competitions * Olympic Games, international multi-sport event held since 1896 ** Summer Olympic Games ** Winter Olympic Games * Ancient Olympic Games, ancient multi-sport event held in Olympia, Greece bet ...

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 NCAA Division I (D-I) is the highest division of intercollegiate athletics sanctioned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in the United States, which accepts players globally. D-I schools include the major collegiate athlet ...

history to go undefeated in official matches with more than 100 wins. ''

Sports Illustrated ''Sports Illustrated'' (''SI'') is an American sports magazine first published in August 1954. Founded by Stuart Scheftel, it was the first magazine with a circulation of over one million to win the National Magazine Award for General Excellen ...

'' 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 James Cleveland "Jesse" Owens (September 12, 1913 – March 31, 1980) was an American track and field athlete who made history at the Athletics at the 1936 Summer Olympics, 1936 Olympic Games by becoming the first person to win four gold meda ...

in a single hour at the 1935

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track and field conference championship meet.

Early life

Sanderson was born in

Salt Lake City Salt Lake City, often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC, is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. It is the county seat of Salt Lake County, the most populous county in the state. The city is the core of the Salt Lake Ci ...

, 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 Wrestling is a martial art, combat sport, and form of entertainment that involves grappling with an opponent and striving to obtain a position of advantage through different throws or techniques, within a given ruleset. Wrestling involves diffe ...

Brigham Young University Brigham Young University (BYU) is a Private education, private research university in Provo, Utah, United States. It was founded in 1875 by religious leader Brigham Young and is the flagship university of the Church Educational System sponsore ...

. As a high school wrestler, Sanderson was a four-time

Utah Utah is a landlocked state in the Mountain states, Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It is one of the Four Corners states, sharing a border with Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. It also borders Wyoming to the northea ...

state champion (1994–97) and compiled a record of 127–3.

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 The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a nonprofit organization that regulates College athletics in the United States, student athletics among about 1,100 schools in the United States, and Simon Fraser University, 1 in Canada. ...

and

Big 12 Conference The Big 12 Conference is a collegiate List of NCAA conferences, athletic conference in the United States. It consists of 16 full-member universities (3 private universities and 13 public universities) in the states of Arizona, Colorado, Florida ...

titles at 184 pounds. He was also the first freshman in NCAA history to be named the Outstanding Wrestler at nationals. 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. 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 The Heisman Memorial Trophy ( ; also known simply as the Heisman) is awarded annually since 1935 to the top player in college football. It is considered the most prestigious award in the sport and is presented by the Heisman Trophy Trust followin ...

), being the first to win the award multiple times and the only person to win it three times. For his performance as a senior in 2002, he received the Wade Schalles Award for best collegiate pinner. He holds the longest win-streak across all NCAA divisions. This makes him the most accomplished collegiate wrestler ever. In 2017, Sanderson was inducted into the Iowa State Hall of Fame.

Freestyle

Sanderson was a two-time US Cadet World Team Member, placing third and fourth in 1994 and 1995, respectively. He was also a US University National Champion in 1999 and a University World Champion in 2000. He became the US National Champion in 2001, 2002 and 2003. 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, and the USA team chose to not compete in

2002 The effects of the September 11 attacks of the previous year had a significant impact on the affairs of 2002. The war on terror was a major political focus. Without settled international law, several nations engaged in anti-terror operation ...

. In 2003, he won the Manitoba Open in

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its Provinces and territories of Canada, ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, making it the world's List of coun ...

in February, placed second at the World Cup in April, third at the

2003 Pan American Games The 2003 Pan American Games, officially the XIV Pan American Games () and commonly known as Santo Domingo 2003, were held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, from August 1 to 17, 2003. The successful bid for the Games was made in the mid-1990 ...

and second at the

World Championships A world championship is generally an international competition open to elite competitors from around the world, representing their nations, and winning such an event will be considered the highest or near highest achievement in the sport, game ...

. In 2004, he once again claimed the Manitoba Open title and won the US Olympic Team Trials. At the

2004 Summer Olympics The 2004 Summer Olympics (), officially the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad (), and officially branded as Athens 2004 (), were an international multi-sport event held from 13 to 29 August 2004 in Athens, Greece. The Games saw 10,625 athletes ...

, Sanderson claimed wins over Magomed Kurugliyev, Siarhei Borchanka, Majid Khodaei, Yoel Romero and Moon Eui-jae to become an Olympic Gold medalist in

Athens Athens ( ) is the Capital city, capital and List of cities and towns in Greece, largest city of Greece. A significant coastal urban area in the Mediterranean, Athens is also the capital of the Attica (region), Attica region and is the southe ...

Greece Greece, officially the Hellenic Republic, is a country in Southeast Europe. Located on the southern tip of the Balkan peninsula, it shares land borders with Albania to the northwest, North Macedonia and Bulgaria to the north, and Turkey to th ...

. While already a full-time coach at

Penn State #Redirect Pennsylvania State University The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State or PSU) is a Public university, public Commonwealth System of Higher Education, state-related Land-grant university, land-grant research university with ca ...

, Sanderson came out of retirement in 2011 and took home an Ion Corneanu Memorial title, won the US World Team Trials and placed fifth at the

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

Freestyle record

! colspan="7", World Championships & Olympics , - ! Res. ! Record ! Opponent ! Score ! Date ! Event ! Location , - ! style=background:white colspan=7 , , - , Loss , 13–3 , align=left, 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,

Istanbul Istanbul is the List of largest cities and towns in Turkey, largest city in Turkey, constituting the country's economic, cultural, and historical heart. With Demographics of Istanbul, a population over , it is home to 18% of the Demographics ...

, Turkey , - , Win , 13–2 , align=left, Alireza Goudarzi , style="font-size:88%", 6–0, 1–0 , - , Win , 12–2 , align=left, Yermek Baiduashov , style="font-size:88%", 4–3, 0–1, 2–1 , - , Win , 11–2 , align=left, Yoon Chan-uk , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Loss , 10–2 , align=left,

Sharif Sharifov Sharif Naidhajavovich Sharifov (, ; born 11 November 1988, in Gunukh, Charodinsky District, Dagestan) is a Russian-Azerbaijani former wrestler. Sharifov finished first in the World Championships and won a bronze in the European Championships. ...

, style="font-size:88%", 1-3, 1-4 , - , Win , 10–1 , align=left, Alejandro Gallardo , style="font-size:88%", 6–0, 7–0 , - ! style=background:white colspan=7 , , - , Win , 9–1 , align=left, 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,

, Greece , - , Win , 8–1 , align=left, Yoel Romero , style="font-size:88%", 3–2 , - , Win , 7–1 , align=left, Majid Khodaei , style="font-size:88%", 6–5 , - , Win , 6–1 , align=left, Siarhei Borchanka , style="font-size:88%", 9–1 , - , Win , 5–1 , align=left, Magomed Kurugliyev , style="font-size:88%", 4–2 , - ! style=background:white colspan=7 , , - , Loss , 4–1 , align=left, 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,

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

, U.S. , - , Win , 4–0 , align=left, Rezav Mindorashvili , style="font-size:88%", 4–2 , - , Win , 3–0 , align=left, Mahmed Aghaev , style="font-size:88%", 3–0 , - , Win , 2–0 , align=left, Majid Khodaei , style="font-size:88%", 8–2 , - , Win , 1–0 , align=left, Tero Perkkioe , style="font-size:88%", 8–2

NCAA record

! colspan="8", NCAA Championships Matches , - ! Res. ! Record ! Opponent ! Score ! Date ! Event , - ! style=background:white colspan=6 , 2002 NCAA Championships at 197 , - , Win , 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 , - , Win , 158-0 , align=left, Nick Preston , style="font-size:88%", MD 18-7 , - , Win , 157-0 , align=left, Jason Payne , style="font-size:88%", TF 23-8 , - , Win , 156-0 , align=left, Kyle Cerminara , style="font-size:88%", Fall 6:33 , - , Win , 155-0 , align=left, Eric Mausser , style="font-size:88%", Fall 3:32 , - , Win , 154-0 , align=left, Scott Barker , style="font-size:88%", TF 22-7 , - , Win , 153-0 , align=left, Tom Grossman , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 152-0 , align=left, William Gruenwald , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 151-0 , align=left, Jon Trenge , style="font-size:88%", 6-1 , - , Win , 150-0 , align=left, Jason Gore , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 149-0 , align=left, Ryan Fulaas , style="font-size:88%", Forfeit , - , Win , 148-0 , align=left, Kyle Smith , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 147-0 , align=left, Will Gruenwald , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 146-0 , align=left, Bill Stouffer , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 145-0 , align=left, Tom Grossman , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 144-0 , align=left, Erik Gladish , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 143-0 , align=left, Jason Payne , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 142-0 , align=left, Lee Fullhart , style="font-size:88%", 5-3 , - , Win , 141-0 , align=left, Jon Trenge , style="font-size:88%", MD 16-5 , - , Win , 140-0 , align=left, Chris Skretkowlz , style="font-size:88%", TF 22-5 , - , Win , 139-0 , align=left, Nick Curby , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 138-0 , align=left, Jim Kassner , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 137-0 , align=left, Ryan Fulsaas , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 136-0 , align=left, Jareck Horton , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 135-0 , align=left, Bart George , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 134-0 , align=left, Nick McTee , style="font-size:88%", Forfeit , - , Win , 133-0 , align=left, Joe Compton , style="font-size:88%", TF 23-7 , - , Win , 132-0 , align=left, Aaron Granell , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 131-0 , align=left, Brent Miller , style="font-size:88%", TF 20-5 , - , Win , 130-0 , align=left, Greg Sawyer , style="font-size:88%", TF , - , Win , 129-0 , align=left, Daegen Smith , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 128-0 , align=left, Peter Mosley , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 127-0 , align=left, Nick Thomas , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 126-0 , align=left, Chris Skretkowicz , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 125-0 , align=left, Chad Wallace , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 124-0 , align=left, Cris Bietz , style="font-size:88%", TF , - , Win , 123-0 , align=left, Josh Broadway , style="font-size:88%", TF , - , Win , 122-0 , align=left, Jeremiah Kovarik , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - ! style=background:white colspan=6 , 2001 NCAA Championships at 184 lbs , - , Win , 121-0 , align=left,

Daniel Cormier Daniel Ryan Cormier (; born March 20, 1979) is an American former professional mixed martial artist, freestyle wrestler, and current color commentator for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As a former UFC Light Heavyweight and Heavyweig ...

, 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 , - , Win , 120-0 , align=left, Victor Sveda , style="font-size:88%", MD 21-7 , - , Win , 119-0 , align=left, Jessman Smith , style="font-size:88%", TF 21-6 , - , Win , 118-0 , align=left, Jeremy Wilson , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 117-0 , align=left, Kyle Hanson , style="font-size:88%", TF 24-9 , - , Win , 116-0 , align=left, Scott Barker , style="font-size:88%", TF 22-7 , - , Win , 115-0 , align=left,

, style="font-size:88%", 8-3 , - , Win , 114-0 , align=left, Ry Stone , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 113-0 , align=left, Kyle Hansen , style="font-size:88%", MD 21-8 , - , Win , 112-0 , align=left, Matt Fletcher , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 111-0 , align=left, R.D. Pursell , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 110-0 , align=left, Ry Stone , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 109-0 , align=left, Josh Lambrecht , style="font-size:88%", TF 21-10 , - , Win , 108-0 , align=left, Shawn Scannel , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 107-0 , align=left,

, style="font-size:88%", 10-3 , - , Win , 106-0 , align=left, Jessman Smith , style="font-size:88%", TF , - , Win , 105-0 , align=left, Andy Hrovat , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 104-0 , align=left,

, style="font-size:88%", MD 14-3 , - , Win , 103-0 , align=left, Josh Lambrecht , style="font-size:88%", MD 16-8 , - , Win , 102-0 , align=left, Ed Aliakseyenka , style="font-size:88%", TF , - , Win , 101-0 , align=left, Ralph Everett , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 100-0 , align=left, Jason Rossotti , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 99-0 , align=left, Ralph DeNisco , style="font-size:88%", MD 17-6 , - , Win , 98-0 , align=left, Francis Volpe , style="font-size:88%", TF , - , Win , 97-0 , align=left, Nate Patrick , style="font-size:88%", MD 16-7 , - , Win , 96-0 , align=left, Viktor Sveda , style="font-size:88%", MD 14-5 , - , Win , 95-0 , align=left, Francis Volpe , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 94-0 , align=left, Marcus Schontube , style="font-size:88%", 16-10 , - , Win , 93-0 , align=left, Josh Bocks , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 92-0 , align=left, Jessman Smith , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 91-0 , align=left, Jeff Pangborn , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 90-0 , align=left, Adam Kellogg , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 89-0 , align=left, Bert Watford , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 88-0 , align=left, Paul Okins , style="font-size:88%", TF 19-3 , - , Win , 87-0 , align=left, Ben Blood , style="font-size:88%", TF 18-3 , - , Win , 86-0 , align=left, Anton Talamantes , style="font-size:88%", MD 20-6 , - , Win , 85-0 , align=left, Mike Odle , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 84-0 , align=left, Viktor Sveda , style="font-size:88%", MD 16-3 , - , Win , 83-0 , align=left, Josh Lambrecht , style="font-size:88%", MD 12-4 , - , Win , 82-0 , align=left, Ralph DeNisco , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 81-0 , align=left, Nick Curcio , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - ! style=background:white colspan=6 , 2000 NCAA Championships at 184 lbs , - , Win , 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 , - , Win , 79-0 , align=left, Brandon Eggum , style="font-size:88%", MD 16-5 , - , Win , 78-0 , align=left, Rob Rohn , style="font-size:88%", TF 20-5 , - , Win , 77-0 , align=left, Dax Pecaro , style="font-size:88%", TF 21-6 , - , Win , 76-0 , align=left, Adam Schaaf , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 75-0 , align=left,

, style="font-size:88%", 8-4 , - , Win , 74-0 , align=left, Tom Grossman , style="font-size:88%", MD 17-7 , - , Win , 73-0 , align=left, Kyle Hansen , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 72-0 , align=left, Charles McTorry , style="font-size:88%", TF 22-6 , - , Win , 71-0 , align=left, Mike Marshall , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 70-0 , align=left, John Maze , style="font-size:88%", TF 27-10 , - , Win , 69-0 , align=left, Brandon Eggum , style="font-size:88%", 6-1 , - , Win , 68-0 , align=left, Tom Grossman , style="font-size:88%", TF 19-4 , - , Win , 67-0 , align=left,

, style="font-size:88%", MD 20-9 , - , Win , 66-0 , align=left, Brandon Eggum , style="font-size:88%", MD 8-0 , - , Win , 65-0 , align=left, Tom Grossman , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 64-0 , align=left, Lionel Halsey , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 63-0 , align=left, Jeff Knupp , style="font-size:88%", TF 21-6 , - , Win , 62-0 , align=left, Rob Anspach , style="font-size:88%", Forfeit , - , Win , 61-0 , align=left, Dave Murray , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 60-0 , align=left, Cash Edwards , style="font-size:88%", TF , - , Win , 59-0 , align=left, Isaac Weber , style="font-size:88%", MD 16-7 , - , Win , 58-0 , align=left, Nate Patrick , style="font-size:88%", 7-2 , - , Win , 57-0 , align=left, Kevin Vogel , style="font-size:88%", MD 17-5 , - , Win , 56-0 , align=left, Lionel Halsey , style="font-size:88%", 5-1 , - , Win , 55-0 , align=left, Sean Salmon , style="font-size:88%", TF 20-5 , - , Win , 54-0 , align=left, Brian Falciglia , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 53-0 , align=left, Joe Cotant , style="font-size:88%", TF 20-5 , - , Win , 52-0 , align=left, Donavan True , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 51-0 , align=left, Paul Jenn , style="font-size:88%", DQ , - , Win , 50-0 , align=left, Joel Schrimpf , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 49-0 , align=left, Nathan Ackerman , style="font-size:88%", TF 17-2 , - , Win , 48-0 , align=left, B.J. Shelley , style="font-size:88%", TF 22-6 , - , Win , 47-0 , align=left, Chad Karnal , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 46-0 , align=left, Joe Terrill , style="font-size:88%", TF 23-7 , - , Win , 45-0 , align=left, Damion Hahn , style="font-size:88%", 4-3 , - , Win , 44-0 , align=left, Jessman Smith , style="font-size:88%", TF 17-2 , - , Win , 43-0 , align=left, Carson Andorf , style="font-size:88%", MD 17-7 , - , Win , 42-0 , align=left, Ty Swarm , style="font-size:88%", TF 24-5 , - , Win , 41-0 , align=left, Brandon Eggum , style="font-size:88%", 7-4 , - , Win , 40-0 , align=left, Todd Schmauss , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 39-0 , align=left, Drew Bouwman , style="font-size:88%", 20-5 , - , Win , 38-0 , align=left, Ryan Rettke , style="font-size:88%", TF 26-11 , - ! style=background:white colspan=6 , 1999 NCAA Championships at 184 lbs , - , Win , 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 , - , Win , 36-0 , align=left, Brad Vering , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 35-0 , align=left, Andy Hrovat , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 34-0 , align=left, Nate Patrick , style="font-size:88%", MD 18-6 , - , Win , 33-0 , align=left, Josh Dideon , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 32-0 , align=left, Brad Vering , style="font-size:88%", 9-5 , - , Win , 31-0 , align=left, Tom Grossman , style="font-size:88%", MD 13-5 , - , Win , 30-0 , align=left, Ken Bigley , style="font-size:88%", TF , - , Win , 29-0 , align=left, Casey Strand , style="font-size:88%", 6-2 , - , Win , 28-0 , align=left, Tony Spiker , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 27-0 , align=left, Jason Moore , style="font-size:88%", MD 19-6 , - , Win , 26-0 , align=left, Matt Carpenter , style="font-size:88%", TF 22-7 , - , Win , 25-0 , align=left, Scott Coleman , style="font-size:88%", MD 17-7 , - , Win , 24-0 , align=left, Vertus Jones , style="font-size:88%", 6-5 , - , Win , 23-0 , align=left, Brad Vering , style="font-size:88%", Forfeit , - , Win , 22-0 , align=left, Tom Grossman , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 21-0 , align=left, Mark Munoz , style="font-size:88%", MD 10-2 , - , Win , 20-0 , align=left, Paul Jenn , style="font-size:88%", TF MD 10-2 , - , Win , 19-0 , align=left, Tom Grossman , style="font-size:88%", MD 20-8 , - , Win , 18-0 , align=left, Mark Munoz , style="font-size:88%", 5-1 , - , Win , 17-0 , align=left, Casey Strand , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 16-0 , align=left, Tom Ciezki , style="font-size:88%", 6-3 , - , Win , 15-0 , align=left, Nate Patrick , style="font-size:88%", 7-2 , - , Win , 14-0 , align=left, Ryan Rettke , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 13-0 , align=left, John Van Doren , style="font-size:88%", 11-4 , - , Win , 12-0 , align=left, Aaron Simpson , style="font-size:88%", TF 9-3 , - , Win , 11-0 , align=left, Greg Gingeleskie , style="font-size:88%", 5-0 , - , Win , 10-0 , align=left, James Brimm , style="font-size:88%", 5-0 , - , Win , 9-0 , align=left, Mike Gadsby , style="font-size:88%", TF 19-4 , - , Win , 8-0 , align=left, Tom Ciezki , style="font-size:88%", TF 23-7 , - , Win , 7-0 , align=left, Paul Jenn , style="font-size:88%", TF 19-4 , - , Win , 6-0 , align=left, William Rufis , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 5-0 , align=left, B.J. Shelley , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 4-0 , align=left, Brant LaGrange , style="font-size:88%", MD 21-8 , - , Win , 3-0 , align=left, Steve Burleson , style="font-size:88%", Fall , - , Win , 2-0 , align=left, Joe Brougard , style="font-size:88%", TF 20-5 , - , Win , 1-0 , align=left, George Flannick , style="font-size:88%", TF 20-5 , -

Coaching career

Iowa State

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. 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. Sanderson's Penn State teams have won twelve NCAA Division I team titles. 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.

Coaching results

! colspan=6, Coaching Record , - ! Season ! Team Finish ! Dual Record ! All Americans ! National Champions , - ! style=background:white colspan=5,

Iowa State University Iowa State University of Science and Technology (Iowa State University, Iowa State, or ISU) is a Public university, public land-grant university, land-grant research university in Ames, Iowa, United States. Founded in 1858 as the Iowa Agricult ...

, - , style="background:white; font-size:88%;", 2007 , style="font-size:88%", , 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%", , 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 The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State or PSU) is a Public university, public Commonwealth System of Higher Education, state-related Land-grant university, land-grant research university with campuses and facilities throughout Pennsyl ...

, - , 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%", , 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%", , 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%", , 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%", , 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%", , 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%", , 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%", , 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%", , 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%", , 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%", , 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%", , 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%", , 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%", , 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

Awards and honors

;2011 * Ion Corneanu Memorial ;2004 *

Summer Olympics The Summer Olympic Games, also known as the Summer Olympics or the Games of the Olympiad, is a major international multi-sport event normally held once every four years. The inaugural Games took place in 1896 in Athens, then part of the King ...

* Manitoba Open *John Smith Award as the Freestyle Wrestler of the Year ;2003 *

World Wrestling Championships The World Wrestling Championships for Greco-Roman wrestling (men, since 1904) and freestyle wrestling (men since 1951, women since 1987) are organized by United World Wrestling (UWW). Unofficial editions Several World Greco-Roman Championships h ...

Pan American Games The Pan American Games, known as the Pan Am Games, is a continental multi-sport event in the Americas. It features thousands of athletes participating in competitions to win different summer sports. It is held among athletes from nations of th ...

* Manitoba Open *John Smith Award as the Freestyle Wrestler of the Year ;2002 * Best Male College Athlete ESPY Award * Dan Hodge Trophy winner * NCAA Division I Championships Outstanding Wrestler * Wade Schalles Award winner *

;2001 * Dan Hodge Trophy winner * NCAA Division I Championships Outstanding Wrestler *

;2000 * Dan Hodge Trophy winner * NCAA Division I Championships Outstanding Wrestler *

;1999 * NCAA Division I Championships Outstanding Wrestler *

Other honors

* Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award in Utah * Glen Brand inductee * Iowa Sports Hall of Fame inductee * Iowa State Cyclones Hall of Fame inductee * National Wrestling Hall of Fame Distinguished Member *NCAA 75th Anniversary Wrestling Team member *''

'' cover appearance * Utah Sports Hall of Fame inductee *

Wheaties Wheaties is an American brand of breakfast cereal that is made by General Mills. It is well known for featuring list of athletes on Wheaties boxes, prominent athletes on its packages and has become a cultural icon in the United States. Originall ...

cereal box appearance

References

External links

* * * * * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Sanderson, Cael 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 National Wrestling Hall of Fame inductees Wrestlers at the 2003 Pan American Games Wrestlers at the 2004 Summer Olympics 21st-century American sportsmen