Updates from Cael Sanderson's weekly news conference
- Thread starter GregPickel
- Start date
On his thoughts on the roster at this point
It's a team spot here, and we need 10 guys, the most we can get out of 10 guys, if we want to compete for a national championship. We're just trying to get better at every weight. Everybody is important.
It's a team spot here, and we need 10 guys, the most we can get out of 10 guys, if we want to compete for a national championship. We're just trying to get better at every weight. Everybody is important.
On Hildebrandt
I think leadership is just being consistent and sharing your passion for what you're doing with the rest of the squad by just being yourself. He's a great example of those things.
I think leadership is just being consistent and sharing your passion for what you're doing with the rest of the squad by just being yourself. He's a great example of those things.
On 57
We're still. playing with that. We have guys with potential who are on the verge or cusp of being point scorers there. Lot of skill and talent, just have to figure out how to finish shots that could put them over the top. We're still playing with that weight class.
We're still. playing with that. We have guys with potential who are on the verge or cusp of being point scorers there. Lot of skill and talent, just have to figure out how to finish shots that could put them over the top. We're still playing with that weight class.
On going to Carver this weekend
We wrestle in a lot of venues around the country, Rec Hall is one of them, the Jordan Center being one; we're just going to compete. We're not worried about any outside distractions.
We wrestle in a lot of venues around the country, Rec Hall is one of them, the Jordan Center being one; we're just going to compete. We're not worried about any outside distractions.
On what wrestlers get out of regular season meetings
I think it's just the way things are. The dual meets are a lot of fun to go in and wrestle the other teams in the conference and nation at their home venue or our home venue. And then, seeing a kid you have to beat if you want to be a national champion down the road. I think it's positive all the way around. It's important to see where you're at and then continue to improve. That would be the game plan this year, wrestle great on Friday but continue to wrestle better as the season goes on.
I think it's just the way things are. The dual meets are a lot of fun to go in and wrestle the other teams in the conference and nation at their home venue or our home venue. And then, seeing a kid you have to beat if you want to be a national champion down the road. I think it's positive all the way around. It's important to see where you're at and then continue to improve. That would be the game plan this year, wrestle great on Friday but continue to wrestle better as the season goes on.
On Kerkvliet so far this year
I think he's more confident. Everyone knows his story from last year. He was off the mat for at least six weeks and got cleared to wrestle the day of the Maryland match. He wanted to compete, and then Big Ten was the following weekend, and there wasn't really time to get him into killer shape. He still was able to be An All-American. He's more confident this year, a tough kid, and a good wrestler. He's getting better in each match, is solid in all three positions, and that's kind of the name of the game.
I think he's more confident. Everyone knows his story from last year. He was off the mat for at least six weeks and got cleared to wrestle the day of the Maryland match. He wanted to compete, and then Big Ten was the following weekend, and there wasn't really time to get him into killer shape. He still was able to be An All-American. He's more confident this year, a tough kid, and a good wrestler. He's getting better in each match, is solid in all three positions, and that's kind of the name of the game.
On Hildebrandt's leadership in the room
He's done a great job. I know a lot of our kids, and other guys in the program, want to train and work out with him. Robbie Howard wants to wrestle with Drew every chance that he gets. He's been a boost not just for our team but a great training partner and role model in how he prepares.
He's done a great job. I know a lot of our kids, and other guys in the program, want to train and work out with him. Robbie Howard wants to wrestle with Drew every chance that he gets. He's been a boost not just for our team but a great training partner and role model in how he prepares.
On Hildebrandt being a dual tone setter at 125
That's the nature of any dual meet. You can set the match and also change that energy if you're the next guy up. That's one of the fun parts about wrestling. Momentum can be a thing if you allow it ot be. That's not something we really talk about. I think having a guy like Drew to start us off is a huge plus for us. The last few years, we got used to being down points right out of the gate, and our guys have responded well, but having a title contender in there like Drew is exciting.
That's the nature of any dual meet. You can set the match and also change that energy if you're the next guy up. That's one of the fun parts about wrestling. Momentum can be a thing if you allow it ot be. That's not something we really talk about. I think having a guy like Drew to start us off is a huge plus for us. The last few years, we got used to being down points right out of the gate, and our guys have responded well, but having a title contender in there like Drew is exciting.
On staying focused during stretches of success
Kids want to win, naturally, when they're two years old, so it's not like we have to motivate them or fire them up. It's making sure they prepare and let them do their thing.
On Berge
He felt really good, feels healthy, and wants to see what he can do. He has the ability and potential to win. It's one match at a time, get better
On Berge at 165
That's his decision, We support their guys and what they want to do. I think it's the right thing with his circumstances. He's big and strong enough to be at 65, and I think it's the right decision. We support him 100 percent in that, and yeah, we're glad to have him back. He's a good dude.
Kids want to win, naturally, when they're two years old, so it's not like we have to motivate them or fire them up. It's making sure they prepare and let them do their thing.
On Berge
He felt really good, feels healthy, and wants to see what he can do. He has the ability and potential to win. It's one match at a time, get better
On Berge at 165
That's his decision, We support their guys and what they want to do. I think it's the right thing with his circumstances. He's big and strong enough to be at 65, and I think it's the right decision. We support him 100 percent in that, and yeah, we're glad to have him back. He's a good dude.
On Berge
He felt really good, feels healthy, and wants to see what he can do. He has the ability and potential to win. It's one match at a time, get better
On Berge at 165
That's his decision, We support their guys and what they want to do. I think it's the right thing with his circumstances. He's big and strong enough to be at 65, and I think it's the right decision. We support him 100 percent in that, and yeah, we're glad to have him back. He's a good dude.
He felt really good, feels healthy, and wants to see what he can do. He has the ability and potential to win. It's one match at a time, get better
On Berge at 165
That's his decision, We support their guys and what they want to do. I think it's the right thing with his circumstances. He's big and strong enough to be at 65, and I think it's the right decision. We support him 100 percent in that, and yeah, we're glad to have him back. He's a good dude.
On Sean McDermott's recent comments
I think he was really impressive. He definitely our kind of guy in the way he runs his program. He has a wrestling background. The whole way he came in here, he text me and said he was here, just outside Rec Hall with no entourage. Would have been happy to sit there and listen and watch. We were happy and eager to learn from him. Then when he sat in the room he was very gracious to the guys and he's just a humble guy but a fierce competitor, and I think that's why they've been so successful. It was cool. Our guys, we played dodgeball that day, and it was one of the more intense games we ever had because the team thought they were trying out for the Bills that day.
I think he was really impressive. He definitely our kind of guy in the way he runs his program. He has a wrestling background. The whole way he came in here, he text me and said he was here, just outside Rec Hall with no entourage. Would have been happy to sit there and listen and watch. We were happy and eager to learn from him. Then when he sat in the room he was very gracious to the guys and he's just a humble guy but a fierce competitor, and I think that's why they've been so successful. It was cool. Our guys, we played dodgeball that day, and it was one of the more intense games we ever had because the team thought they were trying out for the Bills that day.
On Brooks/Amine match
I saw the same thing you guys did. Just a great match and something Aaron that everyone else is looking forward to seeing the same thing again. I think Aaron can make some adjustments. I'm sure they are going to make some adjustments. That what makes competition from. Aaron's offense and defense was really just top notch.
I saw the same thing you guys did. Just a great match and something Aaron that everyone else is looking forward to seeing the same thing again. I think Aaron can make some adjustments. I'm sure they are going to make some adjustments. That what makes competition from. Aaron's offense and defense was really just top notch.
On facing teams like Iowa and Michigan and having maybe more close bouts that don't have bonus points
It's up to each individual. They're going to approach the match the way they choose to. I think you're thinking about the next and the next and the next match, not the one right now. The score isn't as important as trying to make your opponent not want to wrestle you again or show there are no easy points. You don't hold back. We're going to get more out of a 10-9 loss than a 2-1 win. If you're at nationals, we'll take that 2-1 win all day obviously, but we want to practice scoring points and having a mindset to be successful in the biggest moments.
It's up to each individual. They're going to approach the match the way they choose to. I think you're thinking about the next and the next and the next match, not the one right now. The score isn't as important as trying to make your opponent not want to wrestle you again or show there are no easy points. You don't hold back. We're going to get more out of a 10-9 loss than a 2-1 win. If you're at nationals, we'll take that 2-1 win all day obviously, but we want to practice scoring points and having a mindset to be successful in the biggest moments.