Just a few days before the NCAA Championships, Penn State wrestling head coach Cael Sanderson took the stage for the last media availability of the season on Monday afternoon.
After another dominant performance in the Big Ten Championships where Penn State routed the field with five conference champions and a team total of 181.5 points, the Nittany Lions are set for the bright lights of the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Thursday.
During Monday’s press conference, Sanderson talked about team goals, individual ownership from his athletes and what wrestling in Philadelphia means for the fans among other topics heading into the final chapter of the 2024-25 season.
On Peaking At The Right Time
After an unblemished regular season and then a crushing victory in the Big Ten Championships, Penn State seems to always have its best saved for the postseason. Although it’s a stressful time for any team, Sanderson keeps everything the same.
“I just think things don’t really change. We have a lot to be grateful for, just the people we get to work with every day, our coaching staff, these student-athletes,” Sanderson said. “We’re all united in our mindset and our focus. So, yeah, we’re happy.”
Sanderson went on to discuss the team’s mindset heading into the final tournament of the year expressing again the blessings of having an opportunity to go out and compete for another NCAA title.
“It’s always onto the next challenge, but we’re grateful for those challenges and grateful for the opportunities we have ahead of us here,” he said. “It’s not every week you have the opportunity to go win an NCAA championship. I’m guessing our guys are pretty excited for that opportunity, and the fun part is seeing what they do with it.”
On Team Potential & Goals
After being asked about the max potential of this year’s team, Sanderson was quick to say that he doesn’t think about hypotheticals or what his team is capable of achieving.
“We want each of our guys to go in there and be happy and healthy and be smiling when the tournament’s over and take whatever comes out of this tournament and run with it, whether they’re done wrestling or they have another year,” Sanderson said.
Sanderson went on to talk about the goals of his team individually and what he wants to give to every wrestler that steps onto the mat in a blue and white singlet.
“We know what their goals are individually, so we want to help them get in there and reach their goals,” Sanderson said. “We got 10 guys, and we hope they all can just go wrestle with enthusiasm, and if we do that we’ll be thrilled. I will be thrilled and proud and happy, and if we don’t do that, then we’re still going to be proud and happy, and we’ll figure out how to do better next time.”
On Coaching Staff Coordination & Individual Needs
With each individual wrestler having different techniques to practice or obstacles such as injuries or weight management to overcome, it can be easy for a staff to be overwhelmed. However, Sanderson feels that while the coaches are working hard, the wrestlers have ownership of their careers, leaving the staff available to help when needed.
“At this point, we have a pretty good idea of what each kid needs, and we try to really get them to take ownership over their own careers and just communicate with us… That goes for nutrition, training, all of those different things,” Sanderson said. “It still comes down to the individuals just choosing to go out there and be themselves.”
Sanderson also dipped into what makes a great recruit.
“You’re trying to pick kids that love to compete, love the sport, and see the bigger picture of what’s going on here. It’s not all about winning and losing… Being yourself, being true to what you say you want, those things that are really important,” Sanderson said. “We’re not going to really reinvent anything or change anything. It’s just a matter of ‘Hey, we’re ready. Let’s go.’”
On Josh Barr’s Health
During his consolation semifinal bout with Minnesota’s Isaiah Salazar, redshirt freshman Josh Barr was injured and was forced to medically default. Although the injury is unknown, the Nittany Lion appeared to be heavily favoring one leg, limping off the mat with the assistance of the Penn State coaching staff. Barr was unable to compete in his fifth-place match, forcing him to take a team-low sixth place.
“Josh has been working really hard,” Sanderson said. “We’ve got Dan Monthley as our trainer. I can’t imagine there’s a better trainer in the world. He’s put a lot of time and effort in. Josh is going to be ready to scrap on Thursday. He’s looking good.”
Considering Barr beat this year’s Big Ten champion Jacob Cardenas in Penn State’s dual match with Michigan, this is a great sign that Barr will be back to full health before Thursday’s first session.
On Braeden Davis’ Progress & Expectations
Davis, who is fresh off a hard-earned third place in the Big Ten Championships, has been dealing with what seemed to be multiple undisclosed injuries. Last year at the NCAA Championships, Davis didn’t place and missed out on All-American status by one match. Sanderson had plenty to say about what occurred last year and the experiences Davis can learn from to progress this year.
“I think he had some valuable experience last year he lost two matches. One was in, if I remember correctly, less than 10 seconds of riding time was the difference, and that’s just life. There’s a fine line between winning and losing,” Sanderson said. “It’s details. Little things matter. Details matter.”
Sanderson went on to talk about the Nittany Lion’s progress through injury.
“He’s going to be better this week than we at the Big Ten. I think outside of not having a lot of matches, he was feeling better and to go there. [Davis] won some good matches, lost a couple close matches, but like every weight, it’s very competitive… But I think as far as health, he’s ready to go.”
On Levi Haines’ Adaptation & Leadership
Levi Haines has made a seamless transition from the 157-pound weight class to the 174-pound weight class. The junior is a three-time Big Ten champion and last year’s national champion at his former weight. Despite the drastic change, Haines has been dominant, moving through the regular season and Big Ten tournament without a loss.
“Levi’s just a beast. He’s such a good kid and even when he was making 57, he was on a disciplined diet, certain types of foods and he followed the plan exactly,” Sanderson said. “Different plan this year. Now, it’s just go wrestle, keep your weight up, and be yourself.
Sanderson went on to talk about Haines’ mindset and how the junior has become a leader for the team.
“He’s just Levi Haines. He goes and he competes, and he’s got a great mindset and his values and focus are the right thing. I think he’s just doing what he does and just being himself,” Sanderson said. “He’s a great leader for us. He does a great job. Team guy, just lifts everybody up around him. He’s one of those guys that make the coaches’ jobs real easy.
On Competing In Philadelphia
For the first time since 2011, the NCAA Championships will be held in the Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia, essentially making the tournament a home-field advantage for the Nittany Lions. Penn State will try to replicate the result in 2011 as the team took home the team title, its 12th overall and first of 11 to date under Sanderson. Regardless of the site, Sanderson doesn’t care about what city his squad competes in.
“We don’t think about think a whole lot about the arena. It’s cool that we’re going back to Philly, obviously being in Pennsylvania. I think it means more, probably, to the Penn State fans, to have it close,” Sanderson said. “I think our job is just to be the same, wherever it’s at, and have the same mindset and focus and energy. We’re not looking at it any differently because it’s in our home state.”
