In practice and from matches, ISU wrestling head coach Cael Sanderson had seen by mid-December that freshman Nick Fanthorpe would find success sooner rather than later.

“We know he is going to be a great college wrestler,” Sanderson said during the week before the Midlands Championships. “It’s just a matter of how soon he is going to be a dominant force. I think he’s getting there soon, quicker than most people probably expect.”

Just days later, Fanthorpe (18-7 overall) put the pieces together at Midlands, having the breakout performance of his young career and placing second at one of the biggest tournaments in the country.

Now ranked 14th, the 125-pounder is seen by many as an All-American candidate this season.

A coaches’ favorite for his relentless approach, the Naperville, Ill. native will likely endear himself to fans by becoming a regular on the medal stand.

“I just listen to the coaches,” Fanthorpe said. “I wrestle for seven minutes. That’s kind of how I’ve been brought up. There is only so much time in a match . so you might as well do everything you can in that seven minutes, or why else go out there.”

Fanthorpe has beaten two top-10 wrestlers since Midlands, including then-fifth-ranked Dave Tomasette of Hofstra at the NWCA National Duals and Nebraska’s eighth-ranked Paul Donahoe on Saturday.

Fanthorpe scored a reversal and two takedowns in the third period to beat Donahoe, 6-3.

Even in defeat, he has shown rapid improvement. After losing to Minnesota’s fourth-ranked Jayson Ness, 12-5, in December, two weeks ago Fanthorpe wrestled the lanky, 6’0 Golden Gopher to an 11-8 decision.

This season, he has won many matches largely because of the hustle and energy he exerts for a complete match.

“He is a seven-minute man,” said assistant head coach Cody Sanderson, who is one of Fanthorpe’s main training partners. “He keeps going, even in a way a lot of young athletes don’t understand. They know how to wrestle hard the whole time. They know how to keep a good pace the whole time, but they don’t understand the transitions from situation from situation.”

Cody Sanderson, a three-time All-American at 133-pounds for Iowa State, said that Fanthorpe is “ahead of the game” when it comes to match presence. He also pointed to the effort, discipline, focus and coachable attitude of the freshman as reasons for his success.

As both a coach and a wrestler, he also appreciates the freshman’s persistence.

“I like wrestling him, but I’m not gonna lie, I get tired whenever I wrestle him,” Cody said. “He doesn’t stop, he keeps going from those transitions. He gets away, he’s right back in on a leg. Even if I cut him loose, he’s attacking right away. If I take him down, he’s looking to escape or reverse me immediately.

“There is no chance to coast, catch my breath, re-coup, get set again – he doesn’t allow that to happen. He likes it to go the whole time.”

Former ISU head coach Bobby Douglas was friends with Fanthorpe’s club coach and tracked the lightweight throughout high school.

“He’s listening to his coaches,” said Douglas, who became a contract associate for the athletic department after his retirement in March. “And he’ll only get better. He’s a good wrestler on his way to being a great one.”

Douglas said he expected Fanthorpe to “blossom” in February, but the freshman has progressed quickly and – through his performance – announced himself as a contender in the 125-pound weight class.

Fanthorpe had an accomplished prep career, winning two Illinois state titles and earning recognition as a top-10 prospect in his weight class. Still, he was a relatively unheralded recruit coming out of high school in the top-ranked 2004-05 Cyclone recruiting class.

Even before Fanthorpe’s effort began to be rewarded with wins, Cael Sanderson knew the results would come.

“He is going to be a real, real special wrestler here, because he’s real talented but he works his tail off every day, every second,” Cael said. “He’s extremely disciplined.”

Fanthorpe seems to have taken his success in stride and credits his coaches and teammates for his improvement.

“I think I’m doing all right, but I’d always like to be better. Nothing is every going to be good enough, I guess, until I reach that final goal,” he said.

Fanthorpe is scheduled to meet top-ranked Sam Hazewinkel of Oklahoma on Friday, who missed the Sooner’s last dual because of injury.

He should get a rematch against Oklahoma State freshman Tyler Shinn on Sunday, who got the better of Fanthorpe at National Duals.