Penn State wrestling head coach Cael Sanderson met with the media on Monday, just a couple of days before the NCAA Championships. 

After a historic showing at the Big Ten Championships, Penn State heads to Cleveland looking to deliver another record-breaking performance. The Nittany Lions crowned seven individual champions, captured their fourth consecutive conference team title, and set a new program record with 184.0 team points.  

In typical Sanderson fashion, the head coach made it clear that the Big Ten tournament is in the past. Now, the focus will shift to the national stage, where Penn State will face what will likely be each wrestler’s toughest competition yet at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.  

During Monday’s press conference, Sanderson discussed the team’s preparation for nationals, their mentality headed into the tournament, and the potential impact of several of his younger wrestlers.  

On Peaking At The Right Time

Although many Penn State wrestlers appear to already be performing at their highest level, Sanderson believes his team has more to show this weekend. One of the program’s lesser-known keys to success is the detailed documentation Sanderson and his staff keep from every practice. Over the years, they have tracked their day-to-day work in the wrestling room, allowing them to learn through trial and error what works and what doesn’t.  

“Obviously, we track everything, and we know what we did at every practice for the past 15 years. We reflect back, and we learn, and a lot of times we learn by accident or through mistakes,” Sanderson shared. 

However, Sanderson believes that performing well in March has less to do with preparation and more to do with the mindset his wrestlers bring to the mat.  

“For us, peaking is just about enthusiasm. Just being excited to be where you are in that moment,” Sanderson said. “You want your kids to enjoy the sport more when they leave here than when they came here. That is something we pride ourselves on.”  

On Young Potential

Marcus Blaze and PJ Duke have already established themselves among the top wrestlers in their respective weight classes. Both enter the national tournament with just one loss on the season, with Duke capturing his first Big Ten title and Blaze finishing as the Big Ten runner-up.  Both are also competing in what are widely considered the toughest weight classes in the country. Even as true freshmen, Sanderson has confidence in the pair and believes they have the potential to make a significant impact at the national tournament.  

“We are extremely excited and grateful for Marcus Blaze at 133 [pounds] as a freshman. Just the character he has, and his drive and competitiveness is a boost for the whole program,” Sanderson said. “And at 157 [pounds], PJ is the same thing. I know those guys are excited to wrestle, and I am excited to see them do their thing.”  

For freshmen like Blaze and Duke, the national tournament will present one of the biggest opportunities of their young careers. Sanderson knows their success is inevitable because of the way they approach the sport, bringing both confidence and a willingness to compete in big moments.  

“It is fun to see what these guys do with these opportunities. There aren’t a lot of times in life where you get tested, or you get an opportunity,” Sanderson said. “It comes and goes quickly, and choosing to compete the way you want to compete is just something you have to do. You can have all the preparation in the world, but it ultimately comes down to you and going out there and doing what you do.”   

On Preparing For Competition

As the Nittany Lions look ahead to their upcoming competition, Sanderson reflects on the advantages of competing in one of the toughest conferences in the country.  

“I think wrestling in the Big Ten is a blessing for us, for a lot of reasons. You wrestle the same teams and some of the best kids, and you have to wrestle them over and over again,” Sanderson said. “You can’t just sit tight and hang on. You have to be active and find ways to improve as the season goes on.” 

While wrestling in the Big Ten has many advantages, facing unfamiliar opponents brings its own set of challenges. This weekend, each Penn State wrestler will face a new competitor, but Sanderson was adamant that it doesn’t change the way they approach their matches. 

“We don’t adapt to people that much. We try to make our opponents adapt to us. We are not shifting our plan every week based on who we are competing against. We are just trying to help each individual get better at what they do,” Sanderson shared. “If you are wrestling somebody you haven’t wrestled before, you know wrestling is pretty simple. The strategy is just to wrestle in your position, and if it’s not your position, get out of there.” 

On Levi Haines’ Final Season

While the Nittany Lions will only be graduating one wrestler this season, they will be losing one of their strongest leaders, Levi Haines. Over his four-year career, Haines was a dominant competitor, winning four Big Ten titles, earning three All-American honors, and claiming one national championship. But for Sanderson, Haines’ achievements on the mat are only one part of the legacy he leaves behind. What truly sets him apart is the way he has guided the younger generations, shaping him into the remarkable leader and wrestler he is today.   

“Levi is just an incredible human being and an incredible leader. You know, if kids are hanging out with him, you aren’t worried about them because they are probably out hunting or something,” Sanderson said. “Seeing the amount of success he was able to have, and even the discipline. He went 157 [pounds] his first couple of years, and that took a lot of a young kid to be as disciplined as he was and go compete well at that weight. We are going to miss him. He is really special.” 

On NCAA Expectations & Mentality

With several individual and team records within reach this weekend, the stakes are high for the Nittany Lions as they head into the national tournament. But Sanderson isn’t focused on the records. His only expectation is that his wrestlers give their best effort and enjoy the process along the way.  

“Records are just the furthest thing from our minds. Those are things you look back on later, but when you are looking ahead, you want to keep things simple. You are focusing on what you can control, what you’re thinking, and what you can do with your hands and your feet,” Sanderson said. “We want to see 10 guys go out there and be the best versions of themselves, and just wrestle with gratitude and enthusiasm, and when the dust settles, we will take a look around and see what we can do better.”