Report: Sanderson to wrestle at Trials

6/6/2011
InterMat Staff
InterMat has learned that Penn State coach Cael Sanderson, an Olympic gold medalist in 2004, will be back on the mat competing this weekend at the 2011 U.S. World Team Trials in Oklahoma City, Okla. He will compete at 84 kg.

Cael Sanderson guided Penn State to a national championship (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)According to a source familiar with the situation, Sanderson is telling people "it's just for fun."

The 31-year-old Sanderson will have to battle through the Challenge Tournament at 84 kg, which takes place on Saturday, for a chance to wrestle Jake Herbert, a 2009 World silver medalist, in the best-of-three finals on Saturday night.

Sanderson, who went 159-0 and four NCAA titles as a competitor at Iowa State, will be inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame as a distinguished member this week in Stillwater, Okla.

Sanderson, who has been retired from competition since winning his Olympic gold medal in 2004, competed at the Northeast Regional on March 26, which he told TheMat.com was "just for fun." He won the tournament at 96 kg, which included a 6-0, 6-0 victory in the finals over Jack Jensen, who finished third at the 2011 U.S. Open.