ISU wrestler Cael Sanderson and assistant wrestling coach Chris Bono both qualified to compete at the World Championships of Wrestling in September.

Both men won their respective titles at the World Team Trials last weekend at the Cintas Center at Xavier University in Cincinnati.

Sanderson, Iowa State’s undefeated three-time national champion, was the number one seed in the men’s freestyle at 187.25 pounds.

He defeated Minneapolis wrestler Brandon Eggum 9-0 and 4-0 on Sunday to win the title.

Iowa State’s head wrestling coach Bobby Douglas said he is very happy for Sanderson.

“Cael’s situation is super-phenomenal,” he said.

“Most college wrestlers who perform at this level usually go on to achieve at the world-class level, which is the highest stage for amateur wrestling.”

Bono wrestled Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, en route to the title at 152 pounds.

He defeated Yoshi Nakamura 4-1 on Friday, and won a 6-2 decision against Chris Ayres on Saturday.

Bono then wrestled top seed Ramico Blackmon on Sunday, pulling off the upset with a 3-0 and 4-3 win.

“This really says a lot for Chris,” said Douglas.

“Every goal he has set for himself, he has went out and achieved.”

Iowa State was also represented at the trials by Joe Heskett, who finished fourth at 167.5 pounds.

Zach Thompson finished fifth at 213.75 pounds.

Another Cyclone assistant, former ISU wrestler Cody Sanderson, finished fourth at 127.75 pounds.

The Cyclones had an impressive weekend and Douglas said he couldn’t be happier with the success at the trials.

“Cael and Chris are at the top of the ladder, and you have to give credit to Cody, Zach, and Joe for knocking on the door of the World Championships,” he said.

Douglas said performances like these do nothing but boost Iowa State’s national status.

He said that it’s great to have members of his team and coaching staff performing at such a high level.

“It’s a real feather in Iowa State’s cap,” he said.

“It shows that Iowa State has always been the pioneers, the innovators of wrestlin,” Douglas said.

Douglas also said that it’s a real benefit to Iowa State to have success on the national level.

“You have top high school prospects that look at performances like that, and it helps with recruiting,” he said.

The next step for Sanderson and Bono is the World Championships.

They will be held in New York on Sept. 26-29.

Douglas said he plans on continuing to work with his guys just as he has to prepare them for the worlds.

“We’ve been working on a regular basis since day one. It’s part of the system,” he said.

Douglas said he sees nothing but a bright future ahead.

“I think both of these guys are gonna become world champions,” he said.