Cael Sanderson added a national championship to his already impressive resume last weekend.
Sanderson, the former Wasatch High standout wrestler, made Utah and NCAA history by winning the 184-pound title while leading the Iowa State Cyclones to a fourth-place finish at the national championships.Sanderson's 6-1 decision over Minnesota's Brandon Eggum earned him the distinction of being the first Utahn and NCAA freshman to win a national individual wrestling title.
Sanderson, who finished with a perfect 38-0 record, was named the NCAA tournament's Most Outstanding Wrestler. His other four tourney wins included three pins and one major decision.
"I have never seen a freshman like Cael," Iowa State coach Bobby Douglas told the Iowa State Daily. "Speed kills, and Cael is all about speed."
"My style is just a lot of motion, stepping out so I can grab their feet," added Sanderson, who won four individual and team titles during his splendid prep career in Utah. "Things worked out great for me (at the NCAA tournament). I try not to put too much pressure on myself, and I think that has helped."
Iowa State junior Cody Sanderson, the oldest of the talented Sanderson brothers, actually became the first-ever Utahn to reach the finals of the NCAA meet. But the 133-pounder suffered a hard-fought overtime loss to two-time national champ Eric Guerrero in the title bout.
Cole Sanderson won his first match but lost in the second round of the 149-pound division.