By Brendan Monahan  

Collegian Staff Writer

On the way home from the Big Ten championship, Steve Sanderson and his son Cyler Sanderson contemplated the newest family achievement.

With the younger Sanderson's 157-pound title in Ann Arbor, Mich., the senior has both a Big Ten and a Big 12 title in his four years of collegiate competition. But underneath the rare feat was a push -- perhaps one the Nittany Lions needed. Maybe more important than the two conference titles was Cyler Sanderson, the only Lion to win a 2010 Big Ten title, setting the tone for Penn State.

Come this weekend, the 157-pounder -- continuing to lead the Lions by example -- will try to add to his achievements with an NCAA title in Omaha, Neb.

"He always was the help," Steve Sanderson said. "He was always out on the edge of the mat encouraging his teammates, trying to help them when he could."

During Lion home meets this year, Cyler Sanderson was the one patting Brad Pataky's chest to calm him before the redshirt junior's name was announced. The Iowa State transfer, as his father said, is not only a technician but a teacher and a leader. The senior stood in the front of the line while every Penn State wrestler ran out to shake each opponent's hand.

Cyler Sanderson, telling jokes and being vocal before practice, is the talkative leader off the microphone.

He was always the outgoing type growing up -- moreso than his brothers.

With seven years' difference between Cyler and older brother Cael Sanderson, the youngest Sanderson was forced to rely more on friends growing up because his brothers were in college.

With his example-setting leadership, it was no surprise when the youngest Sanderson took home the title.

And as for the help, the win could be the push other Lions need to jolt them into NCAA individual-titles contention this weekend.

Cyler hopes the Big Ten championship motivates his teammates, but he didn't focus on that while wrestling Purdue's Colton Salazar. When he was on the mat against Salazar and sporting his taped right leg, the Lion 157-pounder moved from side to side, hands ready for the fight. At that time, wrestling was the only thing on his mind.

After this weekend, Cyler may have something new to contemplate with his dad -- another Sanderson individual NCAA champion, a distinction that would show his teammates what they can accomplish.

"He's worked hard for it," Steve said. "We'll just have to see."