Sanderson named Amateur Wrestling News Man of the Year

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Gary Abbott (USA Wrestling)
03/19/2003


Cael Sanderson, who became a national sports legend by completing his college wrestling career with four NCAA titles and no losses, was named Amateur Wrestling News Man of the Year for 2002.    The announcement was made during a National Wrestling Coaches Association social at the Hyatt Regency Crown Plaza in Kansas City, Mo., March 19.    According to the AWN article by Lisa Little, "there's no question, no hesitation, not even a second's doubt who is the Amateur Wrestling News Man of the Year for 2002."    The numbers are now part of the Sanderson legend. 159-0 at Iowa State. Four NCAA titles. Four Outstanding Wrestler awards at the NCAA Championships. Three Dan Hodge awards.    Then came the international season, where Sanderson won the U.S. Nationals and the World Team Trials. Along with his World Team teammates, Sanderson was unable to compete at the 2002 World Championships in Iran due to a direct threat of violence to the U.S. team. Sanderson ended the 2002 season with a victory over 1996 Olympic champion Khajimurad Magomedov of Russia at the Kurt Angle Classic.    Sanderson's AWN Man of the Year award will be added to numerous other honors earned this year. He won the ESPY award as the Best Male College Athlete. He was the Big 12 Conference Male Athlete of the Year. He was a top-five finalist for the James E. Sullivan Award as the best amateur athlete in the nation (won by figure skating Olympic champion Sarah Hughes).