Cael Sanderson Earns 100th Career Big Ten Win Against Iowa
After Penn State’s win against No. 2 Iowa in the Bryce Jordan Center Friday, Cael Sanderson now has 100 Big Ten regular season wins in his career stat column.
Since getting hired in 2009, Sanderson has managed to build one of the most dominant programs in sports. With nine NCAA Championships in 11 years, Sanderson has yet another feat under his belt.
Even before his time in Happy Valley, Sanderson posted a perfect 159-0 career record at Iowa State as a collegiate wrestler, while also earning three Hodge trophies, earning Big 12 Male Athlete of the Year honors in 2002, and taking home an ESPY for Best Male College Athlete. Not to mention, he was also an Olympic Gold Medalist in the 2004 summer Olympics.
Elsewhere, the victory over No. 2 Iowa marks 230 overall wins as head coach for Sanderson, 186 of which were earned at Penn State. The 12th head coach in program history only has 11 losses in the Big Ten conference in as many years.
Among the legendary names who Sanderson has coached are David Taylor, Bo Nikal, Zain Rutherford, and many more.
While Sanderson might be known for being soft-spoken, he was not very impressed by his own accomplishment Friday.
“It just means I’ve been here a long time,” said Sanderson. “I don’t do a whole lot of work. I’m sitting here like you all so I didn’t even know it was anywhere near that.”
Friday night’s win further extends Penn State’s dual win streak. Sanderson’s Nittany Lions have not lost a team bout since January 21, 2020. The historic dual against Iowa also tied the attendance record for wrestling, with 15,998 people in attendance to witness the monumental win.
Sanderson and his squad will continue its push to the postseason against Ohio State at 7 p.m. on Friday, February 3.
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