Intrasquad dual to open Lions' season

Guy Cipriano

- gciprian@centredaily.com

UNIVERSITY PARK — Cyler Sanderson is a lot of different things around the Lorenzo Wrestling Complex these days.

CDT/Nabil K. Mark

Penn State Head Wrestling Coach Cael Sanderson during Penn State Wrestling Media Day October 27, 2009. CDT/Nabil K. Mark

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He’s raw to life here in many ways, having enrolled at Penn State this past summer after four years at Iowa State.

There are new buildings to explore, different names to learn, adjustments most athletes make as freshman, not seniors.

Inside the practice room, Sanderson is grizzled, having absorbed the new coach’s philosophies long before venturing East.

And then tonight, Sanderson should turn giddy. His name will be among 22 called during the Nittany Lions’ intrasquad match at Rec Hall. The 11-bout event begins at 7 p.m. and features seven wrestlers, including Cyler, competing in Rec Hall for the first time.

“I’m so excited to finally wrestle up there in that gym,” he said. “I know it’s a great atmosphere. I have watched volleyball in there. I can’t wait to see that gym packed for wrestling.”

Three newcomers whose existence at Penn State are linked could make tonight’s match more intriguing than typical teammate vs. teammate action.

Two happened to be involved in the same matchup. At 157, Sanderson, a 2008 All-American who went 82-26 at Iowa State, meets David Taylor, a four-time Ohio state champion and the nation’s No. 1 recruit, according to InterMat. The third is coach Cael Sanderson, who brought the current and future 157-pounders to Penn State.

Even Cael, a man who owns four NCAA titles and an Olympic gold medal, seems antsy to unveil his first Nittany Lion squad to the masses. The coach is requiring wrestlers to compete at scratch weight.

“I can’t wait,” Cael said. “I’m so happy this is a competition week. It’s instrasquad and we’re only wrestling each other, but it’s about getting a feel for Rec Hall.”

In many cases, Cael said weight-class winners will start the season opener at Lehigh on Nov. 13. Exceptions include Penn State’s four touted true freshmen — Taylor, Jake Kemerer, Ed Ruth and Luke Macchiaroli — who are headed for redshirt seasons regardless of the results. Kemerer, a two-time PIAA Class AAA champion from District 7 Hempfield Area, faces 2008 All-American Dan Vallimont at 165, Ruth wrestles Bellefonte native J.R. Brown at 184 and Macchiaroli meets returning starter Clay Steadman at 197.

The matchup between Cyler and Taylor illustrates where the Nittany Lions are headed. Cyler is the youngest of the four Sanderson brothers. His relationship with Cael and associate head coach Cody led to his transfer from Iowa State.

Cyler left behind many close friends, including some who could put Iowa State in this year’s national title mix. But in the Sanderson family, blood surpasses all other bonds. Iowa State coach Kevin Jackson granted Cyler a release from his scholarship so he could join Cael and Cody here.

“My brothers are my best friends,” Cyler said. “As soon as Cael made the decision to come to Penn State, I knew I was going to come, too.”

Cyler arrived in July with explicit instructions and none involved staying in background. Cael wanted his brother to aid the transitions occurring within the program.

“Cyler brings a lot of emotion and leadership with him,” Cael said. “I think that’s something we really needed as a team.”

One of Cyler’s many projects involves helping Taylor adjust to college wrestling.

After signing a letter-of-intent with Iowa State last year, Taylor’s life also changed when Cael accepted the Penn State job. Taylor re-opened his recruiting process, visiting Penn State, Oklahoma State and Ohio State. He followed Cael because of the bond he had developed with the Sandersons.

Taylor spent part of his childhood in Evanston, Wyo., and made frequent trips to Heber City, Utah, to train with Steve Sanderson, the patriarch of one of the country’s most renowned wrestling families. Taylor now receives daily opportunities to workout with Cyler, a wrestler he first met in elementary school.

“He is kind of like a big brother to me,” Taylor said. “I try to learn from him as much as possible. I’m wrestling 157 this year and he’s 157, so being behind a guy like that, redshirting and learning from him for a whole year is pretty awesome.”

Cyler has developed similar feelings toward Taylor, along with his other new teammates. Penn State’s middleweights also include former NCAA finalist Bubba Jenkins, Kemerer, Vallimont and senior David Erwin.

“This was really a great change for me as far as my personal career,” Cyler said. “I have so much opportunity here and there are a lot of great guys I get to workout with.”

Cyler, an art student, views his stay at Penn State as more than a one-year sojourn. He’s applying to the Bachelor of Fine Arts program and wants to use Penn State’s expanding wrestling resources to make a run at qualifying for the 2012 Olympics.

“This is the best situation for me,” he said. “I will probably be here for a few years.”