Cael Sanderson and Penn State wrestling leave distractions behind, focus instead on upcoming season

Cael Sanderson and his No. 1 Penn State wrestling team have their focus set squarely on the future.

The Nittany Lions’ first national championship since 1953, the resumption of Sanderson’s wrestling career and several wrestlers’ brushes with the law in the offseason were brushed aside Monday at the team’s media day.

Instead, Sanderson and his wrestlers, almost to a man, chose to talk about the season ahead.

“It’s been a busy summer. We had lots of change. Our coaching staff changed quite a bit,” Sanderson said

“We had a couple off-the-mat incidents but, luckily, time keeps moving. We’re moving forward. We’re about to start this next season we’re fired up about.”

Former Director of Operations Matt Dernlan left to assume head coaching duties at Clarion. He tabbed third assistant coach Troy Letters as his lead assistant with the Eagles.

Several Nittany Lions had brushes with the law in a variety of cases. However, only one, NCAA 133-pound third-place finisher Andrew Long, left the team.

“Kids think they’re invincible at that age. As much as we talk about it and counsel them and tell them what they need to be doing, ultimately they’re the ones who have to make those tough decisions,” Sanderson said.

“Most of the time they do, but every once in a while they don’t. When they don’t, there’s consequences.”

The coach didn’t mention those consequences, only hinting at internal discipline.

The news wasn’t all bad for the Nittany Lions. Four returning All-Americans will anchor a young, talented lineup.

Defending NCAA 184-pound champion and two-time All-American junior Quentin Wright, three-time All-American and 149-pound NCAA runner-up senior Frank Molinaro, sophomore NCAA runner-up David Taylor, who moved up to 165 from 157, and sophomore NCAA 174-pound third-place finisher Ed Ruth all return.

So, too, does heavyweight Cameron Wade, who finished a win shy of earning All-America status.

Another NCAA qualifier, Andrew Alton, who finished one win short of All-America status, will redshirt, Sanderson said.

Alton’s twin brother, Dylan, is the leading candidate to earn the starting 157-pound job.

Former starter Bryan Pearsall and Sam Sherlock are locked in a battle to win the 141-pound job.

Sanderson added two of the nation’s top recruits to an already talented roster. Morgan McIntosh from Santa Ana, Calif., was rated No. 1 overall. Nico Megaludis, a three-time PIAA champion from Murrysville, was the No. 5 rated overall recruit.

“They’re very talented kids with a tough mentality and a belief in themselves that is rare this early in their career. I have a lot of confidence in both of those guys,” Sanderson said. “There’s a good chance we’ll see them in the lineup.”

McIntosh is projected at 197 pounds, Megaludis at 125.

Frank Martellotti, who started at 125 pounds in place of injured starter Brad Pataky during fall semester last year, is the favorite to claim the job at 133, assuming his academic issues have been resolved. He was declared academically ineligible to compete during spring semester.

Sanderson said the team should receive word soon from the university about the status of some of Martellotti’s summer grades.

For now, though, the Nittany Lions are focused on winning another national championship.

“It’s obviously going to be hard,” Molinaro said, “but I think the hard part is going to be staying consistent and 10 guys wrestling hard. That’s the hard part. The national championship, that takes care of itself.”

Because the focus is on the future, Sanderson said, past performance and achievement doesn’t enter into the equation.

“We don’t feel pressure. We’re excited about what these guys were able to do last year. Last year’s in the books. It’s something we can always be proud of,” he said.

“We have a great chance this year to have a very successful season. As long as our guys continue to attack with the same attitude and passion that they have in the past, we’re going to have a lot of fun.”