After impressive collegiate careers as Cyclone wrestlers, Chris Bono and Cael Sanderson just keep on winning.

This weekend at the Freestyle Nationals tournament in Las Vegas, the two nationally ranked wrestlers will have the opportunity to showcase and improve their skills as they face some of the nation’s best freestylers.

Having previously been on the U.S. Wrestling Team, neither Bono nor Sanderson will have to qualify for the Olympic Team Trials in Indianapolis May 21.

“I’m already qualified,” Bono said. “Being a past [U.S.] team member automatically qualifies me.”

Bono said this tournament will be a preview of the Olympic Team Trials, and he’s wrestling to win it.

“I’m going to win the tournament,” he said. “[My chances] better be good. I won it last year and have been there millions of times. It’s time to win it again.”

Three-time defending World Trials champion Sanderson said he is mentally prepared for the weekend.

“I’m really excited about this tournament,” Sanderson said. “This is our first step in making the Olympic team. It’s something I’ve been thinking of since I was a little kid.”

Already the most prolific and most dominant wrestler in NCAA history, Sanderson said his recent training has made him a better wrestler.

“I think I’m getting better and better,” he said. “Every time I’m on the mat I’m trying to do something better. I think I’m on my way.”

Seven years removed from competing in college, Bono said his age has had no effect on his conditioning.

“My shape is fine,” he said. “I’m in the best possible shape in my career.”

He is currently ranked second nationally behind Jamill Kelly at 66 Kg (145.5 pounds).

Having wrestled on the national stage for nearly a decade, Bono said he is unsure whether he’ll retire from competition if he does not reclaim a spot on the national team.

“We’ll have to sit back and see what’s going on,” he said. “I still love to compete, and [retiring] hasn’t even entered my mind.”

Sanderson, ranked first nationally at 84 kg (185 pounds), has many accolades to his name already and said now is the time to build a legacy.

“Now it’s just time to get on the team,” he said. “I’m trying to get better and that’s basically it. I’m trying to get a little stronger physically. Just all the little things associated with freestyle.”

Bono and Sanderson both train in Ames under the guidance of ISU wrestling head coach Bobby Douglas. Both wrestlers said they greatly benefit from training at Iowa State.

“I learn things everyday from the [college] guys in the room,” Bono said. “If I can take some advice from a 7-year-old kid and learn something, I will.”

“It’s been great,” Sanderson said. “Ames is my home, and it’s been great to have the partners and atmosphere while I’m training.”

Sanderson also said these are the tournaments wrestlers train for — these are the tournaments that mean the most.

“We’ve been training for a long time and now it’s time [to prove ourselves],” he said.