Cael Sanderson weekly press conference updates
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On the senior class and what they've gone through and the phrase that describes them
I'm not really good at words or phrases, but it's been tough on everybody, the whole country and world. Just staying focused and dealing with a whole host of additional challenges. Just, the whole way the NCAA handled the situation has to be a challenge for these kids. Some kids didn't get a chance to wrestle in four NCAA championships, but then on the flip side, they're giving some kids five opportunities. I think that has to be strange for them too. I feel like the NCAA put these kids in a weird situation, and they're resilient, and tough, and I'm talking about wrestlers and athletes in general.
I'm not really good at words or phrases, but it's been tough on everybody, the whole country and world. Just staying focused and dealing with a whole host of additional challenges. Just, the whole way the NCAA handled the situation has to be a challenge for these kids. Some kids didn't get a chance to wrestle in four NCAA championships, but then on the flip side, they're giving some kids five opportunities. I think that has to be strange for them too. I feel like the NCAA put these kids in a weird situation, and they're resilient, and tough, and I'm talking about wrestlers and athletes in general.
On Nick Lee coming back
He was one of those guys that we were trying really hard to get a waiver for him and some other kids. We took it as far as you could before we had to get a lawyer and go to war, and we decided not to at that point. This will be his fourth opportunity to wrestle in an NCAA tournament. Going into last year, most of the kids thought it was again going to get canceled, then obviously they had a championship, which was great. A lot of uncertainty more than anything, and the protocols they have with COVID; they're watched like hawks.
He was one of those guys that we were trying really hard to get a waiver for him and some other kids. We took it as far as you could before we had to get a lawyer and go to war, and we decided not to at that point. This will be his fourth opportunity to wrestle in an NCAA tournament. Going into last year, most of the kids thought it was again going to get canceled, then obviously they had a championship, which was great. A lot of uncertainty more than anything, and the protocols they have with COVID; they're watched like hawks.
On why he didn't feel they wrestled all that well in the post Iowa match news conference, and if training changes this week with two matches
I think these weeks are tricky. You have to turn around and be excited for the opportunity to have big matches like this. Two really great programs we got to be ready for. That's just part of the process. It's the same every year.
I didn't think we wrestled poorly. It's just a tough environment and our team did what they needed to win and move on. We expect to continue to get better as the season goes on.
I think these weeks are tricky. You have to turn around and be excited for the opportunity to have big matches like this. Two really great programs we got to be ready for. That's just part of the process. It's the same every year.
I didn't think we wrestled poorly. It's just a tough environment and our team did what they needed to win and move on. We expect to continue to get better as the season goes on.
On the BJC dual
Overall, it's a cool event. We really appreciate the fans showing up. I thought it was special to do [the first one] with Pitt. It's just kind of been something that we look forward to every year. Each year it feels more like a home environment and something we should think about as a program is having more matches over there because it gives more fans opportunities to see the team. We look at it as making sure we have a big match over there and hopefully you can hook em and make them wrestling fans.
Overall, it's a cool event. We really appreciate the fans showing up. I thought it was special to do [the first one] with Pitt. It's just kind of been something that we look forward to every year. Each year it feels more like a home environment and something we should think about as a program is having more matches over there because it gives more fans opportunities to see the team. We look at it as making sure we have a big match over there and hopefully you can hook em and make them wrestling fans.
Are more bonus points something that can be maximized?
I think it's the same mentality and be the best you can be and enjoy competing. Sometimes a one point win can be a great effort. So can a one point loss. It's about the individuals being focused on being the best they can be, and then the bonus points should come. I think every coach and program would be saying the same thing, but it's hard to do that when you're wrestling tough kids all the times. We usually get our opponent's best effort. That's a compliment. But, it's the little things, it's finishing a period on top and picking up a point here and there and continuing to make progress.
I think it's the same mentality and be the best you can be and enjoy competing. Sometimes a one point win can be a great effort. So can a one point loss. It's about the individuals being focused on being the best they can be, and then the bonus points should come. I think every coach and program would be saying the same thing, but it's hard to do that when you're wrestling tough kids all the times. We usually get our opponent's best effort. That's a compliment. But, it's the little things, it's finishing a period on top and picking up a point here and there and continuing to make progress.
On Bartlett and maybe being hesitant to shoot
I think Beau has shown he's right there with the best. He just has to pull the trigger. He's strong, can scramble; he has the ability to do really well and part of that would be going to get that takedown.
I think Beau has shown he's right there with the best. He just has to pull the trigger. He's strong, can scramble; he has the ability to do really well and part of that would be going to get that takedown.
On the great depth across the country at 197 and HWT
I think they are great weight classes. Up and down, all the weight classes are competitive. We have two really good guys representing us in those weights. They just have to keep doing what they're doing. We like our guys and are confident in both of them.
I think they are great weight classes. Up and down, all the weight classes are competitive. We have two really good guys representing us in those weights. They just have to keep doing what they're doing. We like our guys and are confident in both of them.
On 57
I think Terrell is close, and we've seen with Tony that he's also close, it's about getting over the edge, or hill, or whatever, I would say we're not really set there yet. We're still waiting to see somebody claim that spot a little bit. Terrell did a nice job against a tough kid, and Tony's done some nice jobs against tough kids. We think they're both capable of winning at the highest level. It's just about doing it.
I think Terrell is close, and we've seen with Tony that he's also close, it's about getting over the edge, or hill, or whatever, I would say we're not really set there yet. We're still waiting to see somebody claim that spot a little bit. Terrell did a nice job against a tough kid, and Tony's done some nice jobs against tough kids. We think they're both capable of winning at the highest level. It's just about doing it.
On rumors of Luke Garnder returning
He's playing with that idea. It's not something I could give you a concrete answer in terms of what he's thinking, but that's definitely something that's a possibility.
He's playing with that idea. It's not something I could give you a concrete answer in terms of what he's thinking, but that's definitely something that's a possibility.
On Kerkvliet and the 285 loss at Iowa
I think Greg has world class attacks on his feet, he's incredibly strong. Cass did a great job to put him in those positions and forced two throws, and that was the difference in the match. Hopefully we can make some adjustments next time we go around. It was a good job on his opponent's part. I think it was a good learning experience. Greg will be better because of that. You know that going into a big dual, every match of the year is going to come and go, and we want to compete in a way that we're happy with and making sure we're getting better, whether it's good or bad. Greg was disappointed in himself, but that's one of the top guys in the country, and I think he learned a few things that he can put into play next go around.
I think Greg has world class attacks on his feet, he's incredibly strong. Cass did a great job to put him in those positions and forced two throws, and that was the difference in the match. Hopefully we can make some adjustments next time we go around. It was a good job on his opponent's part. I think it was a good learning experience. Greg will be better because of that. You know that going into a big dual, every match of the year is going to come and go, and we want to compete in a way that we're happy with and making sure we're getting better, whether it's good or bad. Greg was disappointed in himself, but that's one of the top guys in the country, and I think he learned a few things that he can put into play next go around.
On the lessons the team learned at Iowa with so many close matches
Yeah, if you're not learning or going backwards you're going to get passed. Each individual is going to learn. Sometimes you learn from mistakes and sometimes you can learn from success. We need to be ourselves out there. That's the most important thing.
Yeah, if you're not learning or going backwards you're going to get passed. Each individual is going to learn. Sometimes you learn from mistakes and sometimes you can learn from success. We need to be ourselves out there. That's the most important thing.
On 57 and if Joe Lee is in the mix
I think Joe was banged up earlier in the season then went to the Scuffle and he didn't really go as he hoped and just hasn't really been challenging at that position. He's capable of great things. Very talented wrestler. At this time, it's just not there.
I think Joe was banged up earlier in the season then went to the Scuffle and he didn't really go as he hoped and just hasn't really been challenging at that position. He's capable of great things. Very talented wrestler. At this time, it's just not there.
If Luke can help great, but we’re now only 6 weeks from nationals & less from B10’s where he would need to do well to qualify for nationals
Penn State Wrestling Weekly Media Zoom: Cael Sanderson and Max Dean - 1/31/222
Video: Penn State Wrestling Weekly Media Zoom: Cael Sanderson and Max Dean -- 1/31/222. Wrestling
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Greg,
How long has Luke Gardner been in the practice room ? If he is in fact there I’ve been hearing conflicting stories. Hopefully he’s wrestling somewhere this weekend to get some matches in. Time is ticking.
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