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Now That's a Wrestling Move

Cael Sanderson, the only undefeated college wrestler in history, left the head coach job at his alma mater, Iowa State, to take the head coach job at Penn State.

Author: Michael Clapier

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Now that's a wrestling move.

Last week in Pennsylvania Cael Sanderson hit a wrestling move. Unlike the thousands of moves and hundreds of matches we have seen before from Sanderson, this one is going to affect the sport for years to come.

In case you are one of the three people on the planet who do not appreciate what is happening. Here's the deal: the wrestler who won every college match he ever wrestled, claimed four NCAA division I championships in the process, was voted outstanding wrestler in the championship tournament each of those four years, collected the Hodge trophy for extraordinary performance in Amateur Wrestling four times, added an Olympic gold medal as an exclamation point, and then became the head coach for his alma mater just made a move.

Cael Sanderson is leaving Iowa State and heading for the head coaching job at Penn State. All that can be said is “Now that's a wrestling move.”

I have known the Sanderson's for twenty years. I refereed all four of the boys, Cody, Cole, Cael and Cyler during their high school years in Utah. They were amazing wrestlers on the mats and quality people off.

Cole Sanderson, the oldest of the four brothers, started our Utah Valley University program as Head Coach for us before joining Cael and Cole on the coaching staff at ISU.

My favorite memory of Cael is not from all of his victories and world wide recognition but from a quiet event I had the good fortune to witness when Cael was still a junior in high school, still wrestling for Wasatch High School with his father Steve as coach.

It was a local freestyle tournament and Cael was paired against a young man with less than a fraction of the skill of Cael. Sanderson easily won the match but it was his conduct and class that impressed me. He showed dignity for his opportunity. Even though he could have tossed him like a feather in a thunderstorm, each time Cael gained an advantage position, rather than throw the kid because he could or to show off, Cael simply scored the points to win the match. Cael easily won the match while showing honor and class toward his opponent and the sport. I will forever be a Cael Sanderson fan for that moment alone.

Another time, when Cael's brother Cody was coaching at Utah Valley, Cael brought his ISU squad to Utah for an exhibition match. Even though not required, when asked, Cael posed with my two boys, 10 and 11, for a picture. I am looking at that photo as I write this article.

The rest of the wrestling world can second guess a professional coach's career decision.

The eight native Pennsylvania wrestlers in the NCAA Division I finals who are not wrestling for Penn State can wonder what if.

Fans from everywhere will weigh in with their innuendo cries wondering what is good or bad for which program and why.

The truth of what is going to happen remains to be seen and cannot be known for years to come. In the meantime, I remain a Cael Sanderson fan and and wish him well as a Nittany Lion.

But, just like 155 wins in a row, we still have to say, “that was a wrestling move.”

About Author

Michael Clapier is a writer, author of Coaching Young Couch Potatoes, the self help guide for parents and coaches with children in little league sports, media consultant, and corporate communications producer.

Article Source: http://www.1888articles.com/author-michael-clapier-21256.html

Now That's a Wrestling Move