Sanders broke on to the scene in a big way last season, leading the Gophers in wins on his way to a 39-10 record and sixth place finish at the NCAA Championships. His exciting style produced six falls and five tech falls last season. He began his career as a starter with 15 straight victories which included tournament wins at the Bison Open and Kaufman-Brand Open as well as a perfect 3-0 mark at the Northern Quad. An aggressive and intense wrestler, his first six decisions came by major decision, fell or tech fall, including a 16-0 tech fall to start the season. As a young leader, Sanders will again be a staple at the 125 spot, as he strives for a Big Ten title and second All-America Certificate.

2008-09 • REDSHIRT FRESHMAN SEASON:
Overall Record: 39-10
Dual Meet Record: 19-4
Big Ten Record: 5-3
Pins: 6
Major Decisions: 9
Technical Falls: 5
Earned All-America honors at the NCAA Championships • named to the Amateur Wrestling News All-Rookie Team • named Most Outstanding Freshman and Most Exciting Wrestler by his teammates • placed sixth at 125 lbs. after going 4-3 at the NCAA’s • won his first two matches at the National Championships before falling in the quarterfinals, but rebounded to defeat #5 Charlie Falck of Iowa and earn a major decision over #18 Nicholas Bedelyon of Kent State • fell in the fifth place match to #3 Angel Escobedo of Indiana • placed fifth in the Big Ten at 125 lbs., going 4-2 at the meet • beat B.J. Futrell of Illinois in the fifth place match • led Minnesota in victories, going 39-10 on the season • went 9-10 against ranked opponents • wrestled all matches at 125 lbs. • one of three Golden Gopher wrestlers (Ness, Safratowich) to appear in all 23 dual meets • tied teammate Jayson Ness in dual meet victories with a 19-4 record • earned 79 team points in dual meets while only surrendering 13 • went 5-3 in Big Ten Duals • won six total matches by fall, the sixth best mark on the team, and never lost by fall • tied with Tyler Safratowich with a team-high five wins by technical fall and never lost my tech fall • won a team-high nine matches by major decision • opened the 2008-09 campaign with a season high 15 straight wins, and strung together another streak of 12 straight later in the season • began season with a title in the Bison open, going undefeated through the tournament including major decisions in the semifinal and championship matches • champion at the Kaufman/Brand Elite on Nov. 23, finishing 3-0 • notched three wins at the Northern Quad as the Golden Gophers swept, including a fall (Portland State) and a technical fall (North Dakota State) • tabbed runner-up honors at the Las Vegas Invite on Dec. 6, going 4-1 in the meet • won his first match of the Invite by major decision • won by technical fall on Dec. 21 at Nebraska • in the New Years Day match with Oklahoma State, earned a 7-6 decision over #14 Obenson Blanc • went 3-0, including a fall and major decision, as Minnesota swept through the Lone Star Duals on Jan 3. • collected wins in all five matches at the National Duals on Jan. 10 & 11, including two falls and one major decision • the only Golden Gopher to win all five matches, and one of five to appear in all five matches • earned a major decision on Jan. 23 as Minnesota beat Arizona State • earned his first Big Ten win with a major decision against Michigan State on Jan. 25 as Minnesota won 30-6 • notched a 13-7 decision against #5 Ohio State on Feb. 1 to bring Minnesota within one at 15-16, before they won 18-16 • won an 11-6 decision over Michigan’s #17 Mike Watts on Feb. 6 • dropped a close 7-8 decision to #3 Brandon Precin of #16 Northwestern on Feb. 8 • began the meet with a win, earning a 10-4 decision against Wisconsin on Feb. 13 • started the meet with #1 Iowa on Feb. 15 with a 5-4 decision over Charlie Falck • dropped a close 2-3 decision to #10 Tyler Clark of #4 Iowa State on Feb. 20 • in the regular season finale lost a 7-8 decision to #5 Angel Escopedo of 18th ranked Indiana • named a U of M Maroon Scholar Athlete.

2007-08 • REDSHIRTED:
Began his Gopher wrestling career by winning his first 26 matches of his redshirt season • Recorded seven pins among his 26 triumphs • Competed in seven events as a redshirt, winning six titles • Recorded pair of major decisions on his way to championship honors at Daktronics Open (11/3) • Named co-champion of Bison Open after 3-0 performance that included two major decision and a pin (11/10) • Recorded two more major decisions on his way to a title at Kaufman-Brand Open (11/17) • Notched another pin and a techincal fall during 5-0 showing to capture Husky Open title (12/8) • Two more major decisions and two pins gave Sanders Flash Flanigan title (1/5) • Pinned MSU-Mankato’s Andy Forstner in title match of Worthington Open to polish off 3-0 weekend (1/20) • Finished season with second place performance at North Country Open (2/9).

HIGH SCHOOL:
Wabasha, Minn. native attended Wabasha-Kellogg High School • national winner of Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award as top high school wrestler in country • top-ranked recruit at 119 pounds by a number of publications and was ranked 15th overall by InterMat • five-time state champion • compiled a career record of 223-5 • won the Class A 119-pound title in 2007, the 112-pound title as a junior and sophomore and the 103-pound title as a freshman and eighth grader • ended high school career with three undefeated seasons • Cadet and Junior Freestyle national champion • placed second at 2007 U.S. Wrestling Junior Greco-Roman Nationals and third at Freestyle Nationals • 2007 NHSCA senior champion at 119 pounds • ASICS First Team All-American in 2006 and 2007 • named Mr. Minnesota of Wrestling in 2007 by the Minnesota Wrestling Coaches Association • also lettered twice in both cross country and baseball in high school • had a 3.58 GPA.

PERSONAL:
Son of Ron and Liz Sanders • has a brother Eric and a sister Katie • enjoys hunting, fishing and traveling • brother Eric wrestled at North Dakota State, while father Ron wrestled at UM-Morris • born April 27, 1988 • majoring business marketing education.