Updates from Cael Sanderson's Monday morning news conference
- Thread starter GregPickel
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On the last week:
We had a chance to step up our conditioning up and get some work in. With the weekend off, they had the ability to attack on all fronts. Now, it's just getting ready to compete on Sunday again.
We had a chance to step up our conditioning up and get some work in. With the weekend off, they had the ability to attack on all fronts. Now, it's just getting ready to compete on Sunday again.
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What training for the postseason looks like:
We have a set plan that we follow and modify based on the individuals. This week, we get ready to wrestle, then we have a week of training and then get ready for the Big Ten a week after that. Time off allows you to step up your conditioning and training.
We have a set plan that we follow and modify based on the individuals. This week, we get ready to wrestle, then we have a week of training and then get ready for the Big Ten a week after that. Time off allows you to step up your conditioning and training.
On preference between competitive dual or one where it looks like a blowout on paper
I think you enjoy everything. You enjoy each match, and the goal is the same, to be the best you can be that day and get the most out of the experience. We look forward to the big events. That's what we train for. A guy like Nick Lee, he's wrestled a bunch of matches, so he's going to be a bit more excited. Every match counts. Every match matters. But you're going to be more excited the bigger the match. As a coach, it's all a process. You enjoy each match.
I think you enjoy everything. You enjoy each match, and the goal is the same, to be the best you can be that day and get the most out of the experience. We look forward to the big events. That's what we train for. A guy like Nick Lee, he's wrestled a bunch of matches, so he's going to be a bit more excited. Every match counts. Every match matters. But you're going to be more excited the bigger the match. As a coach, it's all a process. You enjoy each match.
On what Berge got out of last week
He came right back and we threw him in the lineup, so he didn't have time to work on conditioning. He was in solid shape. He's had a chance to zone in and focus on what he needs to do to be confident and comfortable. He's looking really sharp and really good, and that's what he needed.
He came right back and we threw him in the lineup, so he didn't have time to work on conditioning. He was in solid shape. He's had a chance to zone in and focus on what he needs to do to be confident and comfortable. He's looking really sharp and really good, and that's what he needed.
On the team's health status
I think the little things you see are the same things everyone is dealing with. Everyone has bumps and bruises. You do the best you can. We have a great trainer and he'll have these guys ready to roll. There's never been a team that we had that didn't have some bumps and bruises. That's part of sports. These guys are ready to go. We'll see when we get to Sunday how many of our guys we wrestle or not. We'll do what's in each of their best interest. The goal is to have everybody ready to roll at the Big Ten and national tournament.
I think the little things you see are the same things everyone is dealing with. Everyone has bumps and bruises. You do the best you can. We have a great trainer and he'll have these guys ready to roll. There's never been a team that we had that didn't have some bumps and bruises. That's part of sports. These guys are ready to go. We'll see when we get to Sunday how many of our guys we wrestle or not. We'll do what's in each of their best interest. The goal is to have everybody ready to roll at the Big Ten and national tournament.
On Starocci
I think he really stood out in how competitive he was and the way he trained. Just some of the things he did, he had the ability to be really good. If you can do well in Pennsylvania, that's a good road map and recipe to be successful in college wrestling. It's up to each individual to take advantage of the opportunity and using the system they have available to them. When he was in here, he was going to be pretty darn good.
I think he really stood out in how competitive he was and the way he trained. Just some of the things he did, he had the ability to be really good. If you can do well in Pennsylvania, that's a good road map and recipe to be successful in college wrestling. It's up to each individual to take advantage of the opportunity and using the system they have available to them. When he was in here, he was going to be pretty darn good.
On Senior Day
I think we have more kids that will be moving on than you would think. I'm not a big senior night guy. The nationals is kind of senior night to me. Just make sure these guys have a chance to accomplish what they want. You said earlier this might be the last time Nick's at Rec Hall. I don't want to hear that. We'll deal with that down the road. Nick came back to help the team and compete and enjoy that part of the process. Senior night is what it is. It can be a little awkward. We got a lot left to focus on.
I think we have more kids that will be moving on than you would think. I'm not a big senior night guy. The nationals is kind of senior night to me. Just make sure these guys have a chance to accomplish what they want. You said earlier this might be the last time Nick's at Rec Hall. I don't want to hear that. We'll deal with that down the road. Nick came back to help the team and compete and enjoy that part of the process. Senior night is what it is. It can be a little awkward. We got a lot left to focus on.
On Levi Haines
He has signed. He's a great kid who works really hard all-around and are really proud of and excited for. He competes really hard and we think his best years are ahead of him. We're excited.
He has signed. He's a great kid who works really hard all-around and are really proud of and excited for. He competes really hard and we think his best years are ahead of him. We're excited.
On Nick Lee
He's grown a lot and continued to improve and get better. He's been consistent in his leadership and a great human being. He just has a great attitude. He stepped in as a true freshman for us and was an All-American when we needed points and battled back to where he won the nationals last year. There just aren't a lot of Nick Lee type people out there. Just a good dude and great leader. Consistency. He's the same person every day, first match of the year, last match of the year, nationals, practice, and to me, that's greatness, and that's what I think about when I think about Nick Lee.
He's grown a lot and continued to improve and get better. He's been consistent in his leadership and a great human being. He just has a great attitude. He stepped in as a true freshman for us and was an All-American when we needed points and battled back to where he won the nationals last year. There just aren't a lot of Nick Lee type people out there. Just a good dude and great leader. Consistency. He's the same person every day, first match of the year, last match of the year, nationals, practice, and to me, that's greatness, and that's what I think about when I think about Nick Lee.
That's it from Cael.
At this point, I know everyone so badly wants to know, but Sunday will be when we get clarity on Berge and where he's going. Patience, my friends!
At this point, I know everyone so badly wants to know, but Sunday will be when we get clarity on Berge and where he's going. Patience, my friends!
You’re going to be in big trouble, Greg, for not pinning Cael down on Berge!
Wonder what this means: “I think we have more kids that will be moving on than you would think.”
I would assume he's talking about guys in the room, not starters, but Ceel is certainly good at planting seeds and then letting you, or us, watch for them to grow into something with very little insight. Lol. He clearly didn't want to talk about the next phase, however, until this current season ends.
I’m no journalist, but I suspect if you ask Cael if Berge’s going 57, he’s either going to give you his stock answer (and you wasted your question), or he’s going to give you a look/stare. And while Cael seems like a nice guy, if that guy gave me a cold stare, I’d probably wet myself.no one asked about Berge. Must have been in the cliff notes to 'not ask'
Ha, he's actually great in these settings. Like, for example, when I asked about Hildebrandt before they were allowed to talk about it, he politely told me he couldn't and we moved on. All good.
As for the question, it's been asked a few different ways lately. I know there's a belief that a different way of asking would get him to tip his hand, but he's not going to.
What if you ask him if there were two Brady Berge’s on a boat, one who weighed 157 and one who weighed 165, but he had to throw one off the boat, which one would he throw off?
Lol, oh no, let's not crank the rumor mill!
In all seriousness, some names surely come to mind as possibilities, but just like with football, won't speculate or just throw names out there just to do so unless I have something to it. We'll see how it plays out.
Greg, at a minimum go for an ankle pick.You’re going to be in big trouble, Greg, for not pinning Cael down on Berge!
This is my speculation but I think Max Dean is the one that could move on with a good NCAA tournament. This is his 6th year out of college. Other than that, I can't see it involving a starter:
RBY already said he's moving on (so it's not news)
Berge already said he's going back to SDSU after this semester
Hildebrandt/Lee are out of eligibility
Maybe he's talking about someone that could portal so they will be introduced as a senior (similar to Verkleeren last year) Him saying NCAAs is senior night makes a lot of sense. I imagine if Max wins it, he might call it a day.
RBY already said he's moving on (so it's not news)
Berge already said he's going back to SDSU after this semester
Hildebrandt/Lee are out of eligibility
Maybe he's talking about someone that could portal so they will be introduced as a senior (similar to Verkleeren last year) Him saying NCAAs is senior night makes a lot of sense. I imagine if Max wins it, he might call it a day.
The stare! When Cael first arrived in State College they had a get together attended by many of the coaches from other sports. My neighbor at the time was Joe’s OC. When he returned from the meeting I asked if it was true. He said: YES, I do believe it is true that the man can kill with just his eyes.” He added that while Cael was soft spoke , he looked like a guy you would definitely not want to disappoint.
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