Sanderson Talks Big 12 Meet

AMES, Iowa - Iowa State wrestling head coach Cael Sanderson previewed the Big 12 Championship this weekend in Columbia, Mo., from Wednesday's coaches teleconference.

Cael Sanderson Big 12 Coaches Teleconference

-On being considered the favorites heading into the Big 12 Championship:
“I guess when you consider the regular season dual meets we'd have to be considered the favorites, but it really makes no difference to us rather were the underdog or the favorite. We're going in with the same approach, the same mindset and that's is we gotta go in there and get the job done. The Big 12 Championship, it's anybody's tournament. It's just whatever team shows up and has a great day and show a takes what they want type of attitude. Regardless of what we're expected to do, our expectations are still the same, get in there and give it everything we've got.”

-Regarding strength of the Big 12 Conference:
“It's always tough, powers shift a little bit. I'm not sure where everybody's ranked but I think four of the top teams were top 10 and the other one was right behind them. It's the Big 12 wrestling conference. It's going to be tough every year. It's no exception this year.”

-Wild card meeting after tournament:
“I actually had the opportunity to sit through it last year. As an assistant you have to keep your mouth closed. I didn't have much to say but it's an interesting process. It's just real competitive You've got five of the best programs in the country trying to get their guys in to the national tournament. It's a big deal. I would think it's looking at the weight classes, 197 comes to mind, very tough. I'd have to think about it for a second because there are tough kids in every weight class. It comes down to being ready and coming out and getting the job done when it matters. The argument is that if you can't get it done during the Big 12 tournament you probably shouldn't get a wild card and get another chance. You've got to be able to compete when the pressure's on and the pressure is on at the Big 12 Championship.”

-Qualifying:
“To win a national championship you've got to have some guys there that can score some points for you. We want to win the Big 12 Conference, everybody wants to win that because it's a big deal. It's a big deal for our athletic department and for our program. The big picture is we want to win and be in position to contend for a national championship. To do that you have to get some point scorers to Auburn Hills. There are two things we want to do well, score points at the Big 12 meet and advance our wrestlers to the NCAA Championship.”

-The mindset of 197-pounder Kurt Backes:
“It's been up and down a little bit with him but I think he's been really consistent the last few months for us and that's what's important. He's got three years of experience going to the national tournament. He was an All-American as a freshman. He's shown each of those years that he can contend with anybody in the country and now it's just a matter of him keeping things in perspective and just going out there and having fun. That's what we've talked about and he's doing that. If he's doing that, he'll put himself in position to compete for a title and that's all we can ask for.”

Players Mentioned

Kurt Backes

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