Wrestling and Family

The Sanderson family has been coaching and participating in wrestling for decades. Norman's sons and grandsons have won 22 individual Utah high school state titles and have reached NCAA D1 All-American status 8 times. 

Norman "Jiggs" Sanderson

Norman Sanderson was one of the original founders of youth freestyle wrestling in Utah. Norman also served as Utah's head official for many years. Norman's attitude and philosophy is one that has been passed down to his sons and to his grandsons. His motto, "If you have fun and work hard winning will take care of itself." This motto and philosophy are reflected today in his son's and grandson's teams.   

Steve Sanderson

Steve Sanderson wrestled for Pleasant Grove High School. After high school, he wrestled for BYU where he was a WAC Champion. Steve has made coaching wrestling his life. One of his greatest accomplishments was building a legacy at Wasatch High School in Heber City, Utah. Steve coached more than 5 teams to a top 10 national ranking. Through his efforts, teams that he has head coached or help coach have won more that 10 state titles. His wrestlers have won over 100 individual state titles and multiple individual national titles. In Steve's coaching career, he has coached many wrestlers to the D1 level of college wrestling. His wrestlers have reached D1 All-American status 8 times, won 4 NCAA titles and won 1 Olympic gold medal. In the fall of 2016, Steve returned to a head coaching position in Altammont, UT. In his first season at Altamont, his team won a state title.  Steve's knowledge and experience in coaching wrestling are rivaled by very few. 

cody and cael sanderson

Cody was a 2x NCAA Runner-Up at Iowa State University. In high school, Cody was a 4x state champion and a multiple time national champion. 

Cael was an Olympic Gold Medalist in 2004 and 4x Undefeated NCAA Champion. Cael was a 4x MVP at the NCAA tournament and a 3x Dan Hodge trophy winner. Most would consider Cael the greatest college wrestler in history. 

Apart from Cody and Cael's amazing individual accomplishments, they have been able to build a dynasty at Penn State University. Cael and Cody (along with Penn State coach Casey Cunningham) have coached the Nittany Lions to 9 NCAA D1 National Team Titles. 

Cole Sanderson

After making a huge impact in high schools around the state of Utah, Cole has now joined the staff at Sanderson Wrestling Academy. In Cole's own career he was a 3x state champion, he won several high school national titles and made multiple world teams. Cole wrestled for Iowa State University, where he was a four year starter and a 4x D1 NCAA Qualifier. During Cole's college career he beat several D1 NCAA Champions and All-Americans.