He is the artist known as Cael Sanderson.    For Sanderson, an art and design major at Iowa State, the wrestling mat is his canvas.    His four-year work of art is nearing completion.    It is a portrait of perfection.    And it is a masterpiece.    The 22-year-old Sanderson is about to put the finishing touches on the greatest wrestling career in NCAA history.    Just consider what he has accomplished already:    * 144-0 record.    * Three-time NCAA champion, named Outstanding Wrestler each time.    * Two-time winner of the Hodge Trophy, wrestling's Heisman.    * NCAA record-holder for consecutive wins.    "To think back at what I have done is sort of unreal," Sanderson said. "I just try not to think about it too much."    Sanderson is on the verge of becoming the first college wrestler to complete a four-year career unbeaten. Oklahoma State's Pat Smith, who lost five times in college, is the only wrestler who owns four NCAA crowns.    "If Cael has a zero in the loss column at the end of his career," Iowa State Coach Bobby Douglas said, "you have to say he is the best college wrestler ever, no doubt about it."    After winning three national titles at 184 pounds, Sanderson moved up to 197 this season.    The senior from Heber City, Utah, not only continues to win, he continues to dominate.    "The guys are a little bit bigger at 197," Sanderson said. "But it's still wrestling so there's not a lot of difference."    As a junior, Sanderson won 36 of 40 matches by either pin, technical fall or major decision.    This year, he has scored bonus points in all 25 wins.    "It's unbelievable what Cael has done," said Cody Sanderson, Cael's older brother who was a two-time NCAA finalist at ISU. "It would be awesome to see him do it. It's been a joy to watch him wrestle."    Why is Sanderson so good?    "He has a tremendous drive and a love for the sport," Douglas said. "He is gifted physically with world class speed. He is very strong and very flexible. He is in excellent shape and wears people down. There is really no place you can hide on the mat. His style is relentless."    "He is tall (at 6-foot-1) and uses his leverage to his advantage. Cael is a very, very intelligent wrestler. Combine that with the environment he is in at Iowa State and you have the necessary mix for greatness."    Opposing coaches have devised all kinds of strategies to try and beat Sanderson.    Some have tried an aggressive approach. Others have reverted to more defensive tactics. Former Oklahoma State wrestler Daniel Cormier, second to Sanderson at the Big 12 and NCAA tournaments last year, hoped to catch him with a throw.    None of it has worked.    "Cael is one of those special athletes that comes along every 30 or 40 years," said Coach J Robinson of top-ranked Minnesota. "He is to wrestling what Michael Jordan was to basketball and what Jim Brown was to football. He is a fierce competitor."    Nebraska Coach Mark Manning said he is amazed at how Sanderson has stayed focused.    "People say pressure gets to everyone," Manning said. "I don't know, Cael seems to be able to block everything out and do his own thing. To never lose over this long a period, it's incredible."    Sanderson uses an assortment of leg attacks - namely ankle picks along with single-leg and double-leg shots - to take opponents down.    Since Sanderson's opponents know what is coming, why can't they counter his moves?    "Because of his speed," Douglas said. "You can't stop what you can't see. He absolutely vanishes when he attacks. It's a rhythm Cael gets in and you can't stop it."    The Greats  Dan Gable and Alexander Karelin; they are considered by many to be the greatest amateur wrestlers ever. Gable and Karelin also suffered arguably the sport's two biggest upset losses.    Gable was undefeated his entire collegiate career at Iowa State before being stunned his senior year by unknown Larry Owings of Washington in the 1970 NCAA finals.    Karelin, the three-time Olympic gold medalist from Russia, was unbeaten in 13 years of international competition until he was upset by Rulon Gardner in the finals at the 2000 Olympics.    Sanderson said the less he worries about his streak the better.    "I don't think about the streak at all," Sanderson said. "Every day I wake up and I haven't won any matches yet that day. I have to prove myself every day."    Sanderson blew past Gable's NCAA mark of 100 consecutive wins last season.    "What impresses me about Cael is he has improved every year," Gable said. "And he has the attitude where he isn't held back by the pressure."    Gable said Sanderson's relentless style is difficult to match.    "He is in constant motion out there and it is very hard to keep up with him," Gable said. "There aren't any counters for his holds because he is always in such good position on his feet."    Douglas said Sanderson compares favorably with Gable and John Smith, the  Oklahoma State coach who won six world titles.    "Cael is the prototype of John Smith and Dan Gable in one guy," Douglas said. "He's tough on his feet like John and an excellent mat wrestler like Gable. That's a dangerous combination."    Before Sanderson, and before Gable, there was Glen Brand.    Brand, who lives in Omaha, was Iowa State's first great wrestler. Brand won both an NCAA championship and an Olympic gold medal in 1948.    "I am 78 years old and I have been watching wrestling matches since I was 10, but I have never seen anyone like Cael," Brand said. "Dan Gable was absolutely great, but this guy has passed him up. When Cael steps on the mat he is in total control. He puts on a show. When you see him wrestle you won't forget it."      Unbeatable?  Is there anyone out there who can beat Sanderson?    Is it second-ranked Jon Trenge of Lehigh or third-ranked Owen Elzen of Minnesota?    Sanderson already owns a 16-5 win over Trenge.    Trenge said he is anxious for another shot at Sanderson. When asked about his game plan Trenge said simply, "Beat him."    "I got a gauge for him the first time, now I have a better idea of what I need to do," Trenge said.      In The News  The exposure Sanderson has received is unheard of for an amateur wrestler.    He has been profiled in Sports Illustrated and USA Today. He was the focus of a segment on ESPN's "The Life."    ESPN is scheduled to air a 30-minute feature on Sanderson for its SportsCentury series.    Iowa Public Television is putting together a documentary on Sanderson's senior season.    He receives standing ovations everywhere he goes, including rival Iowa's Carver-Hawkeye Arena where fans stood and applauded his third NCAA title.    Sanderson even has his own bobblehead doll.    The shy, polite Sanderson does not mind the attention, but he would be just fine without it.    "I'm just glad I'm not a basketball player," Sanderson said.      International Impact  The widespread impact of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks were felt in Ames, Iowa.    Sanderson was in the final stages of training for the World Championships, originally scheduled for late September in New York City, when the tragic events occurred in New York.    Sanderson, who beat Brandon Eggum in the 187-pound freestyle finals of the U.S. World Team Trials in June, had a tough decision to make when the event was rescheduled for late November in Bulgaria. With the college season starting before the world meet, Sanderson relinquished his spot on the U.S. team.    "It was a tough decision," Sanderson said. "It's hard to turn something like that down, especially knowing you might not ever make the team again."    Eggum replaced Sanderson and won a silver medal.    "Cael wanted to win the gold medal and I am convinced he could have won it," Douglas said.    There will be more opportunities for Sanderson to win a world title, starting this year.    "I only have one chance at doing this," Sanderson said of his college career. "I could wrestle freestyle until I am 40."      A Family Affair  Sanderson had plenty of exposure to wrestling growing up.    Sanderson's father, Steve, an NCAA qualifier for Brigham Young, coached Cael and his older brothers, Cody and