Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/233832
<< CENTER OF ATTENTION He and his brother/head coach Cael Sanderson wanted the prematch routine to seem like any other home match. But once they packed into those vans, the experience that followed was supposed to be anything but normal. "They'll never forget this, Cody said a " few days before the Nittany Lions trounced Pittsburgh, 28-9, in front of 15,996 fans, a college wrestling record. "It's something they're going to remember. They're going to remember running out and coming out into the spotlight and on top of that mat. That's going to stay with them the rest of their life." And it wouldn't have happened without him. Per the university, a college wrestlingrecord 15,996 fans piled into the BJC Dec. 8 for Penn State's dual meet vs. Pitt. Said one casual fan, "I'd definitely go again." The big brother Cody Sanderson is the oldest of Steve Sanderson's four boys. The brothers – Cody, Cole, Cael and Cyler, in order from oldest to youngest – differ in size and appearance. However, they all had similar wrestling paths in high school and college. All competed for Steve at Utah power- Mark Selders/Penn State Athletic Commuications house Wasatch High and later enrolled at Iowa State. Cody led the point then, too. Cody finished his college career in 2000 as a two-time national finalist at 133 pounds for the Cyclones. Five years later he established a wrestling program at what is now Utah Valley University. His former team continues to make strides on the Division I scene. Cody might not boast an undefeated record like his younger brother, but he's made his own impact on the sport. And although Cael, the head coach, gets most of the public recognition for leading Penn State to the past three NCAA championships, people inside the program give just as much credit to Cody. Said senior