THE LAST WORD
Sanderson leads strong U.S. squad
O
KLAHOMA CITY – I have been to every U.S. World Team Trials since 2001 and this may have been the best one I have been to. The final session of the tournament, on Saturday night, June 11, was entertaining and memorable to
say the least. The return of Cael Sanderson provided a huge and much- needed shot in the arm to the sport of wrestling. Sanderson hasn’t competed in nearly seven years, but he
looked very impressive in winning the freestyle title at 84 kg/185 lbs.
He was dominant in beating one of the best wrestlers in the
World, 2009 World silver medalist Jake Herbert, in two straight matches in the best-of-3 finals. Sanderson, who turned 32 shortly after the Trials, says he is
doing this for fun. But anybody who knows Cael is well aware his definition of fun means winning. Sanderson is a legitimate threat to win a World title this year.
He is bigger now than when he won the 2004 Olympics in the same weight class. He is very physical, and he is tall and lanky. He wasn’t moving quite as well as he did when he last com-
peted, but Sanderson is still very athletic and mobile for a big man. He still has his ankle pick and his low single. He also showed an ability to score with re-shots, plus his defense was excellent for the most part. And Sanderson has three months to train and prepare for the
Worlds, alongside 2009 World quarterfinalist Jake Varner. I can’t wait to see what Sanderson does on the World stage. I
know he is going to be very tough to beat. Sanderson is part of a strong U.S. World freestyle team.
Varner is bigger and stronger now, and he looks poised to win a medal at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. Training with Sanderson is a huge bonus. They will continue to make each other better. 2009 World bronze medalist Tervel Dlagnev also looked impressive in downing 2008 Olympian Steve Mocco in the finals of the Trials. Dlagnev has placed high in a number of overseas tournaments and is a legitimate World title contender at 120 kg/264.5 lbs. Another U.S. wrestler who could make a huge impact is new-
comer Jordan Burroughs, fresh off winning his second NCAA title and the Hodge Trophy for Nebraska. Burroughs could make the same type of impact Herbert did two years ago when he came right out of college to win a World silver medal. Burroughs is lethal on his feet and an explosive wrestler who could win a medal at 74 kg/163 lbs. Like Sanderson and Dlagnev, Burroughs is a guy who has the
offense to go score a point when he needs to in a close match. That is essential to being successful on the international level against defensive-minded foreign foes. Newcomers Nick Simmons and Teyon Ware also are danger- ous wrestlers who can put points on the board in a hurry.
42 USA Wrestler
Simmons made the team at 55 kg/121 lbs. and Ware at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. Both wrestlers showed impressive grit and resolve in pulling out wins in the finals of the Trials. The final freestyle weight class was yet to be determined at
Craig Sesker
60 kg/132 lbs. Reece Humphrey beat Shawn Bunch in the finals of the Trials, but the World Team spot will not be settled until after they both compete in an overseas event. Both wrestlers have fared well internationally. After a dismal showing at the 2010 Worlds, the U.S. is ready
to come back strong at the 2011 World Championships on Sept. 12-18 in Istanbul, Turkey. This team looks much stronger than the 2010 squad. The top six finishers in each weight class at the 2011 Worlds
qualify their countries for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Look for the U.S. to make a run at qualifying in a number of weights as it gains momentum heading into the Olympic year.
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