Wrestler Sanderson now boxing for Wheaties

Iowa State four-time national champion Cael Sanderson is now part of the “Breakfast of Champions”. Sanderson has become the first collegiate wrestler to grace the cover of a Wheaties box in the brand’s 80-year history.Sanderson finished his college career unbeaten and the box shows his 159-and-oh record. Sanderson calls it a “tremendous honor” and the soft-spoken athlete drew laughs when he said he was “pretty pleased.”Sanderson says he has been a Wheaties fan since his youth. He says his favorite box is of former Bears runningback Walter Payton.Sanderson’s family and friends will now be able to find him on the shelf of their local grocery store. He says he hopes his family realizes they’re all a huge part of making it on the Wheaties box.Wheaties spokesman Brian Immel says only a select few athletes make it to the cover of the box. He says it’s reserved for someone whose career is so outstanding that they’re the benchmark for their sport.Immel says the new boxes will be available in a couple of weeks. The boxes are being produced in Cedar Rapids and will first go out to Iowa and Sanderson’s home state of Utah before being distributed nationally.Nationally, Sanderson will share the shelf with Olympic figure skating gold medallist Sara Hughes and golf’s Tiger Woods.Iowa State officials have struck an agreement to keep Sanderson in Ames. Cyclone athletic director Bruce Vande Velde says Sanderson has been hired to work in the athletic department.Vande Velde says Sanderson has accepted a job as special assistant to the athletic director. Sanderson will work across the country for Iowa State. Vande Velde says I-S-U is proud to have Sanderson still connected to the University as he goes on to seek Olympic glory.