The Dan Hodge Award is annually given out to the top collegiate wrestler, and ISU wrestler Cael Sanderson fit that description.

Sanderson was named the winner of the Dan Hodge Award by WIN magazine. It is the most prestigious award a college wrestler can earn. ISU Wrestling Coach Bobby Douglas calls it “the Heisman Trophy of wrestling.”

Sanderson earned the honor for his dominating performance he put together throughout his sophomore season. Sanderson finished 40-0, including 11 pins, 14 technical falls and nine major decisions.

Sanderson was happy to win the award and knows the positive impact it has on the Cyclone wrestling program.

“It’s a big honor, obviously it’s good to get that at our school,” Sanderson said. “It really helps recruiting. It’s nice for me also. It puts a lot of pressure on me but I’m used to it.”

To cap off his sophomore season, Sanderson won his second straight NCAA title at 184 pounds and Outstanding Wrestler of the Meet award.

Because of the near-flawless tournament performance Sanderson knew the Dan Hodge Award might be coming his way.

“I wasn’t really surprised because they [WIN Magazine] kind of keep you updated,” Sanderson said. “As the college season goes along, they tell you who’s in contention for it. Basically I knew that if I won nationals, I’d get it because I had won nationals the year before too.”

Sanderson was given the award at the ISU wrestling award banquet at the conclusion of last season. He was also honored at halftime of a Cyclone football game this season.

“It’s always nice to get recognized, especially by a huge crowd like that,” Sanderson said. “It was a big game, and it was fun.”

Wrestling practice has started again and Douglas sees more of the same of his standout 184-pounder.

“Cael has been vintage Cael Sanderson,” Douglas said. “He’s one of a kind – a true workaholic. He’s very focused and improving.”

Sanderson enters his junior season halfway to a record-setting career. Sanderson is 79-0 through his first two seasons but doesn’t like to dwell on the past.

“It’s been kind of surprising,” Sanderson said. “Growing up, what you think of college wrestling is that it’s tough. I have exceeded my expectations of myself, but now that I’ve started, I don’t really look back at all. I look forward and ahead. As soon as nationals were over last year, I was already looking forward to this year.”

This summer, Sanderson went after his dream of making the Olympic team but was defeated in the Olympic Trials at 187.25 pounds.

The defeat was disappointing, but Sanderson feels he took a lot away from the experience that will help him when he tries out for the Olympics again in 2004.

“I went into it right from the collegiate season,” Sanderson said. “I just tried to cram for the Olympics and I didn’t really target 2000. I think I got a lot of work done and I know it helped me out a lot.”

“There’s a lot of different strategies in freestyle and just the experience with that will help me after I’m done with collegiate wrestling,” he said.

After wrestling this summer, Sanderson is ready to hit the mat on the collegiate level and has extra motivation.

Sanderson hasn’t competed since his loss in the Olympic Trials, and is eager to get back on the winning track he has started at ISU.

“I hate losing,” Sanderson said. “I know I have something to prove all over again, and that’s how I motivate myself. Just losing that last match is my fuel, and I’m going to remember that loss so it doesn’t happen again.”