Sanderson returns with new team

IOWA CITY - Today marks Cael Sanderson's return to Iowa City but for this visit he'll be sporting new colors.

Sanderson makes his first trip back to the state for college competition when he brings his Nittany Lions for a dual against the top-ranked Hawkeyes at Carver-Hawkeye Arena at 7 p.m.

Sanderson shocked the college wrestling world when he left as head coach at Iowa State, his alma mater, to become the head coach of PSU in April. Sanderson was the second four-time NCAA national champion and first to finish his career unbeaten, recording a 159-0 career mark for the Cyclones. He took over as their head coach for the 2006-07 season. Sanderson led Iowa State to a 44-10 dual record, three Big 12 titles and top-five NCAA finishes, including a runner-up finish in 2007. He coached 30 national qualifiers, 15 All-Americans and two national champions - Trent Paulson (157 in 2007) and Jake Varner (197 in 2009).

The return doesn't stir up any special feelings for Sanderson.

“It's not too emotional,” Sanderson told Guy Cipriano of the Centre Daily Times. “They love wrestling there. It's a tough place for teams to compete. As a competitor, there's not a better atmosphere in the country. Their fans love it. They show up and they love their team. It's a great opportunity. You don't get too many opportunities in life to wrestle in front of crowds like that.”

He isn't worried about the reception he'll receive from the Iowa crowd. For that matter, he isn't sure what type of welcome it will be.

“It's not like I'm not going back to the school that I was out. I'm going back to the rival school of where I was at,” Sanderson said. “I really have no idea. It's not that important to me. Every time you go in there it's kind of fun. You don't know what to expect. It's good preparation for our team if people are booing them. It's a good thing.”

Hawkeyes Coach Tom Brands doesn't expect the dual to be any different from other home duals, or from any previous meets against Sanderson coached teams.

“It's going to be the same,” Brands said. “It's a team that's coming to our arena to perform at the best they can.”

Penn State enters with a 9-4-1 record, owning a 1-1 mark in the Big Ten. The Nittany Lions have six wrestlers ranked by InterMat, possibly creating five bouts with two ranked wrestlers.

At 125, Iowa's No. 4 Matt McDonough (22-0) could face No. 11 Brad Pataky (19-5). Top-ranked Brent Metcalf (22-0) and No. 5 Frank Molinaro (22-2) should be at 149. Ryan Morningstar (17-3), ranked fifth, has No. 8 Dan Vallimont (19-4). Phil Keddy (16-5) takes on No. 13 David Erwin (20-6) at 184.

“There's a lot of interest in three or four weights in particular,” Brands said. “From my perspective, there's a lot of interest at 10 weights.”

Hawkeye fans could get their first look at heavyweight Dan Erekson in action. The returning All-American made his return to the lineup Sunday with a first-period pin over Purdue's Adam Walls. Erekson, who had surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle suffered in practice at the start of the season, is listed, along with Jordan Johnson and Blake Rasing, on Iowa's probable lineup to wrestle No. 11 Cameron Wade (14-5).

“He's done well,” Brand said. “He's been in the room. He's strong. Everything is according to the plan.”