Cael Sanderson

Cael Sanderson
Personal information
Full nameCael Norman Sanderson
Born (1979-06-20) June 20, 1979 (age 45)
Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.
Height6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight84 kg (185 lb)
Sport
CountryUnited States
SportWrestling
Event(s)Freestyle and Folkstyle
College teamIowa State
ClubNittany Lion Wrestling Club
Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club
TeamUSA
Coached byBobby Douglas
Now coachingPenn State University
Medal record
Men's freestyle wrestling
Representing the  United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 2004 Athens 84 kg
World Championships
Silver medal – second place 2003 New York 84 kg
Pan American Games
Bronze medal – third place 2003 Santo Domingo 84 kg
University World Championships
Gold medal – first place 2000 Tokyo 85 kg
Cadet World Championships
Bronze medal – third place 1994 Frankfort 55 kg
Collegiate Wrestling
Representing the Iowa State Cyclones
NCAA Division I Championships
Gold medal – first place 1999 State College 184 lb
Gold medal – first place 2000 St. Louis 184 lb
Gold medal – first place 2001 Iowa City 184 lb
Gold medal – first place 2002 Albany 197 lb
Big 12 Championships
Gold medal – first place 1999 Ames 184 lb
Gold medal – first place 2000 Lincoln 184 lb
Gold medal – first place 2001 Stillwater 184 lb
Gold medal – first place 2002 Norman 197 lb

Cael Norman Sanderson (/ˈkl/ 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]

  1. ^ Anderson, Kelli (2002-04-01). "The Top 10: SI picks the most impressive college sports feats ever". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2009-02-05.