The seven-year difference between Cyler Sanderson and his older brother Cael Sanderson led their father Steve Sanderson to rethink his former child-raising choices. "We probably should have had another little boy to grow up with Cyler," Steve said amid laughs. "It's been harder on Cyler because of the amount of pressure that was put on him." The pressure wasn't created by Steve or Cyler's three older brothers Cael, Cody Sanderson or Cole Sanderson. Others created it -- expecting more in the wake of his brothers' successful collegiate careers. This pressure, Steve said, was something Cyler's brothers never experienced. Along with the heightened expectations -- and his unique red hair -- Cyler can now add a Big Ten individual title to the list of things his brothers will never have. The Nittany Lion grappler defeated friend and former teammate Colton Salazar of Purdue for the 157-pound title Sunday. "It was a little bit interesting because we had a close relationship," Cyler said of Salazar, "but when you step on the mat, it's wrestling." Steve coached Salazar at Wasatch High School in Heber City, Utah along with his son. The father said growing up by himself, Cyler ventured out more with friends than the other brothers. Because the older brothers were close in age, they were each other's closest confidants. "They had their individual friends," Steve said," but mostly they hung out together."

Though Cyler may be the more social of the Sandersons, have the only Big Ten title and be the only one to sport red hair, the Big Ten 157-pound championship was only a stepping stone for his ultimate goal this year -- an NCAA title. To do it, he'll have to either avoid or beat J.P. O'Connor, Dustin Schlatter and Jesse Dong, all of whom defeated Cyler earlier this season and are ranked higher than the No. 6 157-pounder. The title would place Cyler in the ranks of his brother Cael, a four-time NCAA champion, but it would also add another accomplishment to the list of things his brothers will never have -- an individual national title as a Penn State wrestler. "I know that he's worked hard for it," Steve said. "There will be 30, 40 other kids in the bracket that are going to make sure that doesn't happen. He just has to go fight for it."

Thanks to Brendan Monahan and the "Daily Collegian" (PSU) for the article