Blue White Illustrated

WRESTLING ead coach Cael Sanderson seemed extra energized at Penn State's wrestling media day earlier this month. Many of the 20 or more reporters who gathered in Rec Hall picked up on it, too. Maybe it was because, in about an hour, the Nittany Lions were set to earn a com- mitment from the unanimous No. 1 recruit in the Class of 2016. Due to NCAA rules, though, that was a subject about which he couldn't comment at the time. "No faxes yet," he said. Instead, he accentuated the positives surrounding his 2015-16 squad, one that is ranked atop the polls and features about as balanced a mix of experienced All- Americans and blue-chip freshmen as a coach could ask for. That's who the gath- ering was for, anyway. More than their individual accolades and preseason rankings, however, it's his team's everyday approach and outlook on the sport that made Sanderson, who is now in his seventh year as Penn State's head coach, most eager for the season to start – which it did with wins over Lock Haven (50-0) and Virginia Tech (21-15) on the opening weekend. "Our kids are really excited; they're hun- gry," he said. "The attitudes have been as good as they've ever been in a program that I've been a part of, so that makes it fun." Heading into their home dual meet against Lock Haven on Nov. 12 and their visit to Virginia Tech two days later, the Lions' starting lineup was complete, al- though Sanderson always is quick to em- phasize that no spot is entirely secure until postseason weigh-ins. With /ve starters coming o0 a redshirt year, three moving up a weight class, and a true fresh- man making his debut, the lineup looks very di0erent than it did a year ago, when NEW AND IMPROVED The roster has received an overhaul, but the Lions are bracing for another championship run H HIGH HOPES Sanderson and his Nittany Lions are hoping to challenge for the NCAA title after finishing sixth in last season's tournament. Photo by Mark Selders/Penn State Athletics |

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