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The collective buttons of all Utahns should be bursting with pride over the gold medal performance of native son Cael Sanderson.
He is, after all, only the second person actually born and raised in Utah to win an individual Olympic gold medal. The other was Alma Richards of Parowan whose stunning victory in the high jump occurred 92 years ago at the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm.
Among Utah athletes, Cael Sanderson, clearly, is something special.
The former four-time Utah State high school wrestling champion from Heber City worked hard to perfect his natural skills. Then, astoundingly, he went undefeated through 159 collegiate bouts as a wrestler for Iowa State University. He became the sport’s first undefeated national champion and established himself as one of the greatest collegiate athletes of all time.
After college he switched to freestyle wrestling, learned important lessons from a few early losses in international competition, and now has Olympic gold.
KSL stands in awe of Sanderson’s athletic prowess. Moreover, in this era of over-hyped and pampered athletes, we especially appreciate his exemplary attitude, genuine humility and unwavering commitment to his chosen sport.
KSL joins the people of Heber City and all Utahns in congratulating this native son, Cael Sanderson, for what he has accomplished.
