Takedown Report

Why is Penn State wrestling, Cael Sanderson more dominant than ever?

Penn State wrestling is still finding ways to outdo itself.
What’s next for the No. 1 team in the nation, the one that somehow appears even more dominant than its two previous record-setting versions?
The Nittany Lions and coach Cael Sanderson, who are well on their way to their 13th national title in the past 15 years, seem to be only distancing themselves further from the rest of the country, including the preeminent Big Ten.
The Lions are in the midst of an NCAA-record 82-match winning streak. They have six No. 1-ranked wrestlers for the first time in history. They’ve stunningly shut out seven opponents this season, another school record.
The top sports dynasty in America? It’s to the point where the biggest question is whether Top 10 opponents, like Nebraska Friday night in the Bryce Jordan Center, will simply score.Need a news break? Check out the all new PLAY hub with puzzles, games and more!
When asked recently about they’re ever-growing dominance, Sanderson talked about culture and their long-standing program process. “I mean, we have a special thing going here, right? The kids know that. They see that,” he told reporters last week in State College. “I think I have a pretty good idea of what we’re doing and what we’re not doing. I think, in this era, the NIL era, and all the different motivations to go to different programs, our kids know that they’re coming here because they want to be the best wrestlers they can possibly be.
“I think when we look back, we’ll see that this era has been good to us because we do our best to follow the rules. And we’re going to get the kids that are coming here for the right reasons. Because the kids know, recruits know, parents know.
“Kids are coming here with very high character, wanting to be the best wrestlers in the world.”

How a Penn State wrestling dynasty grows even stronger

Their overall dominance of the sport in the past 15 years is one matter. How they continually find new ways to improve upon themselves is quite another. They certainly own an even deeper roster than the past two teams that broke overall points records at the NCAA Championships. They certainly seem possible of tying or bettering records for most individual finalists (six) and winners (five) at those national championships in Cleveland in late March. … more at … https://www.ydr.com/story/sports/college/penn-state/2026/01/27/why-is-penn-state-college-wrestling-cael-sanderson-more-dominant-than-ever/87702514007/

February 4, 2026 - Posted by The TakeDown Report | Uncategorized | college-football, ncaa, sports, wrestling