Sports Illustrated names Sanderson’s perfect college career as No. 2 most impressive college sports
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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
03/29/2002
Sports Illustrated, the world's most prestigious sports magazine, named its Top 10 "most impressive college sports feats ever" in its April 1, 2002 issue. Selected as the No. 2 most impressive feat was Cael Sanderson's perfect wrestling record. According to the magazine, "Not only did Sanderson go 159-0 and win four national titles, but he was also named outstanding wrestler at the NCAA championships four times. During his senior season, only four of his 40 matches lasted the full seven minutes." Selected as the No. 1 most impressive feat was Jesse Owens's four-world-record day. According to Sports Illustrated, "In the span of 45 minutes at the Western Conference (now Big Ten) championships in Michigan on May 25, 1935, Owens, an Ohio State sophomore, set world marks in the 220-yard dash (20.3 seconds), the 220-yard low hurdles (22.6) and the long jump (26'8 1/4") and tied the world mark in the 100-yard dash (9.4). Owens day was so monumental that in some newspapers it trumped that day's other big sports story: Babe Ruth's 712th, 713th and 714th home runs." The Sports Illustrated Top 10 most impressive college sports feats ever: 1. Jesse Owens's four-world-record day 2. Cael Sanderson's perfect wrestling record 3. Barry Sanders's 1988 season 4. Jim Brown's senior year 5. Oscar Robertson's career double double 6. Tracy Caulkins's 12 swimming titles 7. Robin Ventura's 58-game hitting streak 8. Red Grange's 1924 performance against Michigan 9. Bill Walton's near-perfect NCAA final 10. Ken Dryden's goaltending career