Iowa State’s Sanderson Caps a Perfect Wrestling Career

Cael Sanderson went out perfect.

The Iowa State senior completed his record-setting college career Saturday, winning his 159th match without a loss and claiming his fourth consecutive NCAA wrestling title.

The 197-pound Sanderson caught Jon Trenge by the ankle, turned it into a double-leg takedown and put the Lehigh sophomore on his back for a near fall, going on to score a 12-4 major decision.

More than 12,000 fans at the Pepsi Arena gave Sanderson a standing ovation that lasted nearly five minutes.

“That’s what I was fighting basically, the fear that I would not perform up to my capability,” Sanderson said, adding that it had been an effort to prepare for all those matches over four years. He was named the tournament’s outstanding wrestler.

Oklahoma State’s Pat Smith, who had five losses in his career, is the only other four-time NCAA champion.

Two other Iowa State wrestlers were champions, lifting the Cyclones to second place in team standings with 104 points.

Minnesota won with 126.5 points after two of its wrestlers won titles. Oklahoma, Iowa and Oklahoma State followed.

At 141 pounds, Iowa State’s Aaron Holker won a 10-5 decision over Eric Larkin of Arizona State. Cyclone senior Joe Heskett scored a late takedown to defeat Matt Lackey of Illinois at 165 pounds to win for the first time in three trips to the finals.