Cyclone alums qualify for World Championships
Former ISU wrestling coach Cael Sanderson fields questions about his decision to leave for Penn State on Friday outside of the wrestling team’s practice room in Lied Recreation Athletic Center. Photo: Manfred Brugger/Iowa State Daily
June 13, 2011
At the U.S. World Team Trials in Oklahoma City this past week, two former Cyclone grapplers punched their tickets to the Freestyle World Championships.
2010 graduate Jake Varner and 2002 graduate Cael Sanderson each marched their way to the international meet, which will be held in Istanbul, Turkey in September.
Varner, a two-time national champion at Iowa State, earned the gold at 211.5 pounds by besting Chad Hanke. Varner toppled Hanke in a two bout sweep, without allowing a single point.
Sanderson, widely considered to be the greatest collegiate wrestler of all time, stepped back into the squared circle after a brief lay off from competition. The one time Cyclone last competed at the 2004 Olympics, capturing gold at 185 pounds.
Sanderson has been the focus of controversy and heartache for Iowa State fans. After returning to his alma mater as head wrestling coach, Sanderson abruptly left the program to coach at Penn State University. This past March, Sanderson led the Nittany Lions to an NCAA title.
On his way to the finals, the 4-time NCAA champion took down a former protege in the 185-pound Jon Reader. Reader won Iowa State’s last NCAA wrestling title this year, but fell to Sanderson, 4-1, 1-0.
While Sanderson and Varner may be the only two world team qualifiers, a bevy of past cardinal and gold grapplers competed in the tournament.
David Zabriskie, who took home NCAA gold in 2010 alongside Varner, was unable to match his cohorts luck at 211.5 pounds. Zabriskie was ousted in two matches.
Trent Paulson was the fifth Cyclone national champion in attendance. Paulson took home fourth place at 163 pounds, going 4-1 on the day.
Nick Fanthorpe made his bid for the world squad, and started his day strong with a victory over Tyler Clark. The 2008 ISU All-American got the early win at 132 pounds, but stumbled in his last two bouts.
Varner and Sanderson will not only carry the banner for Iowa State but also the U.S. The United States has not claimed gold in the freestyle meet since 1995, which is the same year current Cyclone coach Kevin Jackson won the second of his two world championships.
