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Wade garners award after shift in attitude
By Brendan Monahan
Collegian Staff Writer
The Ridge Riley Award could have gone to either wrestler.
Both Cameron Wade and Cyler Sanderson pinned their opponents, capping the weekend with two falls. Though Sanderson had no trouble barrel- rolling through the legs of Michigan's Dave Johnson to reverse his opponent's leg-hold into a Nittany Lion takedown, Wade garnered the award, signaling the Twinsburg, Ohio, native's buying into head coach Cael Sanderson's approach
"He went out there and got a quick takedown," Cael Sanderson said.
"He works on top. He's not just trying to ride. He's trying to turn. He's putting some points up. It's fun to see."
Assistant coach Troy Letters thought Wade's recent point surplus arrived because of the heavyweight's attitude change. For Letters, the tools to decisively beat every opponent are in the redshirt sophomore's arsenal.
Wade paced the hardwood floor between the fan bleachers before his bout with Michigan's Ben Apland. While fans intently watched Dave Crowell's match, Wade walked behind the bleachers then back into sight, listening to his headphones, putting his head down and sporting a blue hood that covered his head -- anticipating the opportunity to show his new attitude.
"He's taking the approach he's going to get his under hooks, throw you down and pin you," Letters said. "That is really what it is, what it comes down to, especially at heavyweight."
Apland's lone takedown of Wade agitated the Lion wrestler. At the start of the second period, Apland controlled Wade and drove him to the ground, but the Wolverine's momentum was short lived. Wade countered Apland's two-point move with a reversal.
"It's something that gets at me," Wade said. "It's just some of the things I have to work on, just get over that and not let it happen again."
Wade had stressed his concern with consistency this season, but as Letters said, now the redshirt sophomore seems to be finding his niche.
"He can go out there and do it against anyone," Letters said, "and now it's time to do that."
Tags: Cael Sanderson, Cameron Wade, Cyler Sanderson, Troy Letters
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