Cyler Sanderson didn’t expect to match his brother’s success.

In the history of collegiate wrestling, ISU wrestling coach Cael Sanderson’s accomplishments – the 159-0 record, the four national titles – are unequaled.

So while it may have been premature, Cyler didn’t surprise himself by losing.

“It was never a goal for me to go undefeated,” he said. “That can’t be a goal. That’s just something that’s crazy, I guess. My goal is to win a national title this year.

“Win or lose, it doesn’t matter along the way. I’ll lose as many times as it takes to get there.”

Last Saturday, just two days into his career, the youngest of the Sanderson brothers lost to Nebraska-Omaha’s Todd Meneely, 9-7, at the Harold Nichols Open.

Sanderson scored two takedowns in the first period of his semifinal match of the Harold Nichols Open, then according to Cael, got too confident and too comfortable in his lead, making freshman mistakes against an opponent who could take advantage.

A Division I wrestler at a Division II school, Meneely was the University of Iowa’s 133-pound starter for half of the 2003-04 season before leaving the program.

Down 4-2, Meneely tied up with Sanderson, underhooked and flipped him to the mat, picking up a takedown and two near-fall points.

“[Cyler] had a tough kid . he got a little cocky after he got a couple takedowns,” Cael said. “And he got thrown on his head.”

Meneely would earn an escape and another takedown to go up 9-6 in the second period. Sanderson started down in the third period and escaped, but couldn’t score after that.

Cyler said the loss is motivation. Cael said it wasn’t a big deal.

“We’re not worried about the fact that he lost,” said the first-year head coach. “We’re worried about correcting mistakes and just making progress as we go along.”

Cyler knows the expectations that come attached with the family name. He’s had three brothers experience success at Iowa State before he made Ames his home, one whose success drew national attention.

Cael talked to Cyler about the pressure that is applied because of the family’s achievements and told him not to worry about it.

“[Cael] did what he did, but I’m a different person,” Cyler said. “I’m going to do what I’m going to do. I’m going to do my best. I mean there’s only one guy that’s ever done what he’s done, so he just told me to work hard, so that’s what I’m going to do. And stay focused, and try to get better every day.”

Cyler missed his redshirt season because he tore his ACL soon after his decorated prep career ended. He began wrestling again in March, but hadn’t had a true competition match until last Friday, yet was already picked by TheMat.com as one of the preseason top four wrestlers at 149 pounds.

Sanderson won three state titles, was a junior national champion and the top-ranked 140-pound recruit coming out of high school by most publications.

Cyler said Cael’s career has affected his own. He was 15 years old when Cael finished his undefeated run as a Cyclone.

“It definitely influenced me a lot,” he said. “It gave me high goals and aspirations, things that I wanted to accomplish, things I’m working to accomplish.”

Almost 1,600 fans witnessed the Cyler’s first dual.

“He is going to do great things here,” Cael said. “But what we are telling him is no different than anybody else: We expect your best effort, we expect you to fight every time. The wins and losses are going to come. We are worried about dominating and competing to dominate.”