Cael Sanderson Goes 7 minutes with TOM

Coach Sanderson enters his second season with PSU and has a loaded young team. Expectations are high in Happy Valley. Coach Sanderson was kind enough to sit down with TOM and go 7 minutes.

TOM: What changes can fans expect from the 2010-11 season?

CS: Fans are likely going to see several new faces in the lineup. Our goal is the same. We want our guys to wrestle hard and to have fun. This team has the ability to score a lot points and be really entertaining to watch.

TOM: Describe your first year at PSU and your thoughts of now being a part of the Big 10.

CS: My first year at Penn State was great. The passion and support for the program is very inspiring. The environment and potential of this program is everything I expected it to be.

There are some obvious differences in the Big 10 conference, from size, more of a set schedule etc, but wrestling is wrestling.

TOM: Recently we did an interview with former PSU wrestler Bubba Jenkins, what are your thoughts as to why it did not work out for him at PSU?

CS: We have rules and order in our program and if a student-athlete chooses to not live by those rules he won’t be a part of the program very long.

TOM: Nebraska will be entering the Big 10 next season, what are you thoughts about this and what will be the impact, if any?

CS: The impact will be that we have another great program in the conference that adds to the competitiveness and pride of the conference. But the real question is how Nebraska leaving the Big 12 will impact that conference.

TOM: If I were a potential recruit for PSU what would you tell me to sell me on the School and Wrestling program?

CS: Come to Penn State! (See Big Ten Commercial)

TOM: Along those lines, what is it you look for in a potential recruit?

CS: We look for solid students that love to wrestle, love to compete and hate losing. If they love it, and hate to lose, they will do whatever it takes to be successful.

TOM: What advice would you give a young wrestler, or better yet if you could only give then one piece of advice, what would it be?

CS: I would say have fun. Wrestling is a very fun sport but it is easy to overlook that part because of the competitive nature. The foundation of success is enjoying what you are doing.

Overtime

TOM: Cain or Lesnar?

CS: Tough call, I’d guess who ever shows up with more passion on fight day will win. Lesnar is a beast and has the size and power advantage. Cain is a machine with a relentless mentality and a mean streak. Cain is very impressive.