The seventh-ranked Iowa State wrestling team had a very busy Thanksgiving break and opened its dual season with an impressive 5-0 record.

On November 22nd the Cyclones swept Ohio State, Ohio and Cumberland, Ky., in convincing fashion.

Cody Sanderson, ranked eighth nationally at 133 pounds, went 3-0 on the day which included two falls, while younger brother Cael also went 3-0 with one fall and two major decisions.

The quick start to the season has ISU players and coaches thinking optimistically about the upcoming campaign.

“We are a young team, but we do have high expectations and the potential to be a great team,” Cael Sanderson said. “My goal is to be on a National Championship team and to be an individual champion,” he said.

After defeating Ohio State 19-13, the Cyclones soundly whipped Ohio 38-3 and Cumberland 47-0.

Heavyweight Mark Knauer as well as Zach Thompson (197), Joe Heskett (165) and lone senior starter David Maldonado (157) won all of their matches.

Cole Sanderson (149), Jesse West (125) and Ben Perkins (174) all compiled 2-1 records, and Tim Bradley scored a major decision in his win at 141 pounds.

Iowa State boasts six sophomores and freshmen in its starting line-up, which provides plenty of potential and excitement.

“Our young wrestlers are really turning it on early,” said head coach Bobby Douglas. “Our veterans are doing a great job of keeping them motivated and focused, so I am pleased with what I see out there,” he said.

On Sunday the Cyclones got off to a quick start against Wisconsin when Joe Heskett pinned All-American Dan Pritzlaff to begin the match and give the team a huge lift.

A new rule was put in this year in which a weight class is drawn out of a hat to determine which wrestlers begin the match.

That allowed Heskett to run his record to a perfect 6-0 after his fall over the second-ranked wrestler at 165 pounds and gave ISU momentum on its way to a 31-7 dual win.

“Joe did an outstanding job. Obviously you don’t leave any questions when you pin someone,” Douglas said. “Joe was nine points ahead when he pinned him, so there was no question he was the better wrestler out there,” he said.

After Perkins dropped a hard-fought 6-4 contest, the Cyclones reeled off three straight wins to take a commanding 17-3 lead before heading into the lower weights.

Cael Sanderson continued his torrid streak by chalking up a 24-8 technical fall at 184 pounds. Thompson and Knauer also wrestled well by winning two close matches 3-1 and 4-2, respectively.

West was defeated at 125 pounds before ISU closed out the match with four convincing victories.

Cody Sanderson remained undefeated after scoring a 12-2 major decision at 133 pounds as did Maldonado at 157, pounds winning by an 18-6 margin.

Cole Sanderson was able to notch a 12-5 victory over Dusty Coufal at 149 pounds, and Benjie Winegarden won his first match of the season at 141 pounds by a score of 9-5.

Coach Douglas decided to make a switch at 141 pounds from Bradley to Winegarden that has apparently paid off.

“Winegarden is our guy right now,” Douglas said. “Its a matter of speed, and he has enough speed to make the system work for him right now,” he said.

Overall, Douglas is very pleased with what he has seen so far in his young team.

“Technically, we are improving, and we are excited where we are at right now,” Douglas said.

ISU competed against Marquette later that evening in a dual meet that more closely resembled a scrimmage, as all of the Cyclone wrestlers emerged victorious.

Iowa State will travel to Indianola for the Simpson Duals on Saturday and hopes to prepare for its upcoming battle with intrastate rival Iowa the following week.

“Every duel meet we come closer together. Our ultimate goal is to be National Champions as a team,” Heskett said.