The ISU wrestling team has a busy week ahead as it continues to train for the heart of its season.

During break, the Cyclones will wrestle twice — once at the Utah Valley State Open and at Hilton Coliseum against Arizona State.

This Saturday, in Orem, Utah, the Cyclones will face Boise State, Division III Adams State and host Utah Valley State. The team will wrestle dual meets with all three teams during the all-day event.

The Cyclones will run into a familiar face when making the trip — former Cyclone Cody Sanderson, brother of Cael, is Utah Valley State’s head coach.

Sophomore Travis Paulson said the former two-time All-American should have the Wolverines in good shape to wrestle this weekend.

“It will be fun dueling with Cael’s brother’s team,” Paulson said.

“He’s a good coach, and his guys will have good technique.”

Junior 125-pounder Grant Nakamura said the youthful Wolverines will be tough in almost all weight classes because of the way they’re coached.

“Utah Valley State has a lot of new guys, but they’re all going to be tough, because Cody Sanderson coaches them,” Nakamura said.

In reality, however, it probably won’t be Sanderson’s team that gives the Cyclones their biggest test.

“Boise State is considered one of the best in the West,” Paulson said. “They’ll be tough because they have a solid lineup. They’ll give us some good matches at a couple of weights.”

The Broncos will face the competition with three wrestlers ranked in the top 20.

Paulson said even Adams State could give the Cyclones some trouble at a few weights.

“Adams State is [Division III], but they have some individuals that won [championships] last year, and they have some tough weight classes.”

Away meets, when the team travels long distances, put a strain on the wrestlers and their training.

“I think the airport is a pain,” Paulson said. “We won’t get into Utah until late at night, so I’ll try to get as much rest on the plane as I can.”

Though lack of sleep is an issue for wrestlers on road trips, Nakamura said cutting weight is harder on the road.

“I have to travel close to weight and try not to eat anything on the plane. On the road, it’s always a new facility too. It’s harder to make weight in someone else’s gym,” Nakamura said.

When the Cyclones return to Ames, they’ll immediately begin to prepare for Arizona State. Coached by former ISU assistant Thom Ortiz, the Sun Devils will come to Ames with five ranked wrestlers — three in the top 10.

Paulson said a healthy Cyclone team is looking to avenge a loss from last year in Tempe, Ariz.

“When they beat us last year, we barely had any [of our starters] in the lineup,” Paulson said. “[Ortiz would] love to beat us again, but we’re excited for that one.”

Arizona State is also where ISU head coach Bobby Douglas coached before coming to Iowa State.

Because he has been with the Cyclones for more than a decade now, Paulson said, the meet isn’t special just because it was Douglas’s last school.

“It has some meaning, but he was there a long time ago, so it doesn’t mean too much,” Paulson said.

The Cyclones will wrestle at 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday in Orem, Utah, and at 2 p.m. Nov. 28 at Hilton Coliseum.