Vinton-Shellsburg’s Chloe Sanders makes history with 200 wins

VINTON — The Sanders family moved back to Iowa from Utah in 2021. Since then, the family has made their names known in high school wrestling — boys and girls, alike.

Gabe was Vinton-Shellsburg’s first and only boys state wrestling champion in 2022 and also won two state titles in Utah.

Cooper was also a two-time state runner-up for the Vikings in 2022 and 2023 and also won a state title and had a runner-up finish in Utah.

Another Sanders has made history on the mat — it’s Chloe, a three-time Wamac Conference champ and three-time state placewinner, including a runner-up finish in 2023. She’s also currently undefeated and ranked No. 7 in the country.

The Vinton-Shellsburg senior earned her 200th win just a few weeks ago, becoming the state’s first female wrestler to reach that milestone.

“I don’t keep track of my stats, but my coach let me know I was getting up there in numbers,” Chloe said. “It was mind-blowing that I could get 200 wins and be the first girl in Iowa to do that.

“It just meant a lot to me that I could pave the way.”

Chloe’s career started with middle school wrestling in Utah, before they made the move back to Vinton-Shellsburg, where she was the lone female on the middle school wrestling team and mostly wrestled boys.

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Her dad, Jason, has been in her corner, as one of Vinton-Shellsburg’s high school girls assistant coaches.

“We are always talking about wrestling,” Chloe said. “I love having him in my corner. He understands me and how I like to be coached. He’s just been super supportive of me throughout all these years.”

Jason, who never competed in high school wrestling, has had the chance to learn the sport in his role as an assistant coach, from his kids competing, and his wife, Angie, who grew up in a wrestling family.

It’s a meaningful opportunity to be involved with Chloe.

“When there came an opportunity to step in and coach with the girls, it was a good fit,” Jason said. “A lot of them are not as advanced being new to the sport, so I was able to come in and help out.

“To be able to be in the room with Chloe and see her not only grow as a wrestler, but as a role model for the younger girls is really special.”

Jason and Chloe aren’t the only two from the Sanders family that are involved in high school wrestling this season for Vinton-Shellsburg.

Gavin, Chloe’s younger brother, is a sophomore wrestling for the Vikings’ boys team at 132 pounds.

Being able to wrestle for Vinton-Shellsburg, alongside Chloe, is a unique experience. It also means a lot of wrestling is talked about in the Sanders household.

“I think it’s a good environment to have,” Gavin said. “Everybody is always talking about wrestling. It’s good to be in that mindset, and we have a lot of fun with it. Having that good atmosphere at home is helpful.”

Chloe agrees, but they also exercise caution with one another — for good reason.

“We are always talking about our matches, practices, and how our teams are doing,” Chloe said. “We try to stay away from wrestling each other, otherwise things get a little heated.

“We get along really well.”

For Jason, seeing all four of his children compete within the Vinton-Shellsburg wrestling program goes beyond wins and losses.

“You learn lessons on the mat that are going to play into your life,” Jason said. “They’ve learned the discipline and understanding that if you want something, you have to work really hard for it.”

Making Iowa history with over 200+ wins is something Chloe has worked hard for.

She knows it, too.

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“It’s just been a lot of practice and matches,” Chloe said. “Thanks to my coach (Brandt Corcran), he gets us in a lot of great tournaments. I’m very thankful for that opportunity.”

Just as she’s proud of the work she put in to get to win no. 200, so is her little brother.

“I don’t think I fully realized all of her great accomplishments,” Gavin said. “I’m at this point where seeing the joy she has with winning and hitting these accomplishments brings me joy, too.”

With history under her belt in her senior season, Chloe knows the job isn’t done yet, despite being a two-time Iowa Freestyle State Champion.

Instead, she’s got her sights set on something else she’s not done before.

“My goal is always to be a (high school) state champ,” Chloe said. “I haven’t been able to get there the past few years. But, I am always growing and am ready to make it there this year.”

Vinton-Shellsburg head coach Brandt Corcran believes the Sanders family has a strong reputation in wrestling.

It shows through each wrestler of their family that comes through Vinton-Shellsburg’s program.

“Gabe and Cooper came first with the boys team when they moved here,” Corcran said. “It has been a trickle-down effect with Chloe and Gavin also doing very well.

“They’re all things wrestling. It’s been fun to have them be part of the program.”

Aside from the Sanders family, Vinton-Shellsburg’s girls wrestling team is a different kind of family. So much so, the team reinforces it with a chant after their post-practice huddle.

It’s a reminder of just how close-knit those involved in wrestling can be.

“All of the girls get along very well,” Chloe said. “We always break our huddle down with ‘Family,’ because that’s what we are. We’re always rooting for each other.”

Just like Jason, Angie, Gabe, Cooper, Chloe, and Gavin, do within Vinton-Shellsburg’s wrestling program.