When I heard wrestler Cyler Sanderson was transferring to Penn State, I had not yet met either him or the coaches and I wondered about his journey.

Ever since I read “The Bridge at San Luis Rey” — in which five different people wound up a bridge that collapsed — I have wondered what goes through a person's head through his or her journey. Cyler likely doesn't sit up at night giving this a second thought, but I am dealing with someone who has come to the end of his college wrestling journey and became an All-American in a PSU uniform. I am probably a little bit too analytical about all of this. Forgive me.

via State College, PA – Being Cyler Sanderson.

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Whether he was ordering bacon and eggs or visiting his barber, the older brother of Penn State’s celebrated first-year wrestling coach couldn’t escape the chatter.

“Everywhere I would go, whether it was getting breakfast or a haircut, people were saying they can’t wait for 2010-11,” associate head coach Cody Sanderson said. “People are excited about the recruits that are going to be in our lineup. But we left it at that. We owed it to the program to keep our focus on 2009-10.”

Such was the conundrum facing the start of Cael Sanderson’s tenure.

The future looked promising. But the present demanded unwavering attention.

via Sandersons shift to next season – Sports | Centre Daily Times – State College, PA.

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Collegian Staff Writer

Year one: complete. In the first season under the guidance of Cael Sanderson, the Penn State wrestling team performed amid the excitement and expectations that came along with its new coach.

The Nittany Lions compiled a 13-6-1 dual meet record — a vast improvement on the 2008-09 mark of 8-12-2.

Add a Big Ten champion, three All-Americans and a ninth-place finish at the NCAA championships to the list of improvements in Sanderson’s first season at the helm.

via Coach lays foundation in debut – The Daily Collegian Online.

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Penn State's Dan Vallimont, right, tries to get free from Stanford's Nick Amuchastegui, during the 2010 NCAA Wrestling Championships match in Omaha, Neb. on Friday.

OMAHA, Neb. – Even to the most demanding fan, Cael Sanderson’s first year as Penn State wrestling coach would be deemed a success.

Even with obvious weaknesses in the lineup, highlighted by redshirting four talented freshmen, Sanderson nudged the Nittany Lions to a 13-6-1 regular-season record and a fifth-place finish at the Big Ten Tournament.

Sanderson can add three All-Americans and a ninth-place finish at the NCAA Division I Championships to that modest list of accomplishments.

via Nittany Lions add to honors at NCAA Division I wrestling championships | PennLive.com.

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OMAHA, Neb.; March 20, 2010 – Penn State senior Dan Vallimont (Lake Hopatcong, N.J.) was defeated in the national finals at 165 in the culminating event at the 2010 NCAA Wrestling Championships. Vallimont’s run to National Runner-Up status helped head coach Cael Sanderson and the Nittany Lion wrestlers take ninth place at the event.

Vallimont, the No. 6 seed, took on No. 1 seed Andrew Howe of Wisconsin, who had downed Vallimont twice during the regular season. Vallimont got in on Howe’s right thigh at the 2:22 mark, but the Badger was able to force a stalemate. Howe countered a low Vallimont shot and got the bout’s first takedown with 1:51 on the clock to take a 2-0 lead. Vallimont could not escape a strong Howe ride for the remainder of the period. Leading 2-0 with 1:51 in riding time, Howe chose down to start the second period, escaped quickly and then took Vallimont down to open up a 5-0 lead. Vallimont escaped with :40 left in the period, only to be taken down at the end of the second to fall behind 7-1 (and how clinched the riding time point). Vallimont chose neutral to start the third period and quickly got in on Howe’s right leg. But Howe once again forced a stalemate. Vallimont forced another scramble with a low single and got his first takedown with :59 on the clock. He cut Howe loose and trailed 8-3. The Nittany Lion took two more solid shots as the bout ended, but Howe was able to fight off every Vallimont effort and posted the 9-3 win.

via Dan Vallimont National Runner-Up, Sanderson’s Nittany Lions Claim Ninth Place at NCAA Championships – PENN STATE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE.

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OMAHA, Neb.; March 20, 2010 – The Penn State Nittany Lion wrestling team earned fifth and sixth place medals in this morning’s placing bouts at the 2010 NCAA Wrestling Championships in Omaha, Neb. With only six wrestlers competing, the Nittany Lions’ strong performance this year has the squad sitting in ninth place with 49.0 points. Head coach Cael Sanderson will now prep senior Dan Vallimont (Lake Hopatcong, N.J.) for the national title bout at 165 later this evening.

Sophomore Frank Molinaro (Barnegat, N.J.) lost to No. 4 Kyle Ruschell of Wisconsin in the consolation semis but rebounded to major Edinboro’s Torsten Gillespie to take fifth place at 149. Senior Cyler Sanderson (Heber City, Utah) was upset in the consolation semis by Binghamton’s Justin Lister and then got majored by No. 5 seed Steve Fittery of American to end the tournament as the sixth place finisher at 157.

via Molinaro Takes Fifth at 149 as Nittany Lions Maintain Ninth Place Heading into Tonight’s Finals – PENN STATE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE.

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BlueWhiteIllustrated.com Assistant Editor

OMAHA, Neb. – The old wrestling adage of having to beat the best to be the best is especially apropos to Penn State 165-pounder Dan Vallimont at the 2010 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships.

Friday night in the semifinals against defending champion Jarrod King of Edinboro,Vallimont finally converted one of his multiple single-leg attempts with 13 seconds left in the sudden victory period to earn a 3-1 win and a berth in the finals.

To win the championship, Vallimont will have to chop down No. 1 seed and defending runner-up Andrew Howe of Wisconsin.

Vallimont headlined a group of three newly minted Nittany Lion All-Americans. Sophomore 149-pounder Frank Molinaro fell in his bid for a finals berth. And senior 157-pounder Cyler Sanderson rebounded from a quarterfinal loss and is still in contention for a third-place finish.

via BlueWhiteIllustrated.com – Lions with three All-Americans after Day 2.

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OMAHA, Neb.; March 19, 2010 – Day two of the 2010 NCAA Wrestling Championships drew to a close Friday night and head coach Cael Sanderson’;s squad had plenty to celebrate. Senior Dan Vallimont (Lake Hopatcong, N.J.) downed defending national champion Jarrod King of Edinboro in one 165-pound semifinal to advance to the national title match-up tomorrow night. Classmate Cyler Sanderson (Heber City, Utah) became Penn State’;s 166th All-American as well. Penn State holds ninth place in the team standings.

via Nittany Lion Dan Vallimont Advances to National Finals at 165 as PSU Holds Ninth Place – PENN STATE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE.

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OMAHA, Neb. — Penn State 165-pounder Dan Vallimont endured two long years of strife and doubt to get another shot at securing a berth in the NCAA finals.

Friday night in the Qwest Center he finally cashed in.

Vallimont headlined a group of three Nittany Lion All-Americans at the 2010 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. Sophomore 149-pounder Frank Molinaro fell in his bid for a finals berth. And senior 157-pounder Cyler Sanderson rebounded from a quarterfinal loss to win in the All-America round.

via Penn State’s Dan Vallimont moves on to NCAA wrestling finals | PennLive.com.

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