I had never heard of Cael Sanderson before I read Ethan Bauer’s profile on him, and Ethan says I’m not alone — “most casual sports fans have no idea who he is,” he writes. But now that I’ve read about Sanderson’s incredible career, I might just become a wrestling fan.
Sanderson has reached heights rivaled by few athletes or coaches in history — in any sport. The Heber City, Utah, native is the only college wrestler to ever go undefeated over four full years, and he won four national titles along the way.
He took gold at the 2004 Olympics, then began coaching — first at Iowa State, his alma mater, and then at Penn State, where his team has won 11 national championships in 14 years.
“Yet for all his accolades, Sanderson comes across as stunningly … normal,” Ethan writes.
Read more about Coach Cael Sanderson’s secret to success.
How the BYU animation program has earned global recognition
From Margaret Darby: When Kelly Loosli co-founded the BYU animation program in 2001 with his former teacher, Brent Adams, he committed to putting all his energy, resources and funding towards “supporting student films,” he told Deseret News. “The more I’ve done that, the more successful the students have gotten.”
BYU’s animation program has earned seven student Academy Awards, 15 student Emmy awards, and several other honors.
University professors typically spend a large portion of time on their own research and projects, but within the BYU animation program professors turn the focus on mentoring students through student-driven projects, rather than asking students to spend time on their professors’ projects, explained Loosli, who is a co-founder and current director of the BYU Center for Animation.
At BYU, “Students aren’t just ... subservient to faculty, they’re actually working on their own projects and they’re working to develop their own skills,” Loosli said.
Read more about the work and talent behind BYU’s award-winning animation program.
President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team reached out to former Utah Rep. Chris Stewart about a potential appointment as the director of national intelligence, the Deseret News confirmed.
Stewart, an Air Force veteran, served as a representative from 2013 to 2023. During his decade in Congress, Stewart received top-secret briefings as a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, and traveled to Russia to discuss international relations and to western China to visit the Uyghur people.
On Tuesday, Stewart congratulated three of Trump’s national security appointments, who were his former colleagues in Congress: Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., as secretary of state; Rep. Mike Waltz, R-Fla., as national security adviser; and Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., as ambassador to the United Nations.
Read more about Stewart's time in office, his work since his resignation and what we know about the potential appointment.
More in Politics
Republican control of the House hangs in the balance (Deseret News)
Is Sen. Lee still on Trump’s attorney general short list? (Deseret News)
Boyd Matheson to join John Curtis’ office as strategic adviser (Deseret News)
Rep. Blake Moore running for reelection as House GOP vice chair (Deseret News)
Federal judge blocks law requiring Ten Commandments displays in Louisiana classrooms (Deseret News)
FROM OUR SPONSOR BYU 1984 MAGAZINE
SPECIAL OFFER: Relive the trail to fame and glory
Calling all BYU fans! This year is the 40th anniversary of BYU's magical 1984 season where the Cougars went undefeated and claimed the National Championship. Relive the glory of victory with an exclusive retrospective magazine from the Deseret News, "1984: The Year BYU Was Second to None."
Inside you'll find never-before-read stories from the players on the '84 team, sports writers who covered each play and the insights from the family of LaVell Edwards. This is a limited edition magazine, perfect for every Cougar fan who bleeds blue. Order now!
Utah
Utah ranks 2nd among most charitable states in 2024 (Deseret News)
Salt Lake Valley Habitat for Humanity expands to include Davis County (KSL)
Utah’s most deadly geologic hazard could be in your home — Here’s how to find out (ABC4)
Tow truck driver accused of lying to police after deadly crash killed Ogden CEO, daughter: Documents (ABC4)
Weak La Niña is a winter wild card for Utah's snow outlook (Axios Salt Lake City)
The U.S.
Bitcoin’s ‘Trump bump’ takes a pause but experts say $100k could be in sight (Deseret News)
Wildfires rage across both coasts, killing 1 in New York (Deseret News)
The World
Dozens killed in car rampage through Chinese stadium (BBC)
Israeli strikes pound Lebanon, Hezbollah strikes back (Reuters)
Sports
Remembering John Robinson, a game changer for football — and for me (Deseret News)
The Deseret News Editorial Board: Good sportsmanship is never out of style (Deseret News)
University of Utah police arrest suspect in water-bottle throwing incident at Utah-BYU football game (Deseret News)
Will BYU complete an undefeated regular season? Here’s what the numbers say (Deseret News)
Faith
What second Donald Trump term will mean for religion (Deseret News)
Head of Church of England resigns over handling of sexual abuse (Deseret News)
Health
Boost your winter health with these 6 essential health tips (Deseret News)
Alzheimer's timeline shows changes start as trickle, become torrent (NPR)
Entertainment
‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’ made a splash at the box office (Deseret News)
Video: Watch the trailer for Netflix’s upcoming biblical epic (Deseret News)
🗓️ Events Calendar
We put together a calendar list of events and activities going on around the state of Utah the next month. Check it out and let us know if we are missing anything!
Here are some highlights for events in Utah today:
Nov. 12-30 — Gallivan Center Ice Rink | The Gallivan Center, Salt Lake City
Nov. 13 — Craft Lake City Workshop: Autumn Wreath Making | City of Holladay, Holladay
Check your inbox tomorrow morning for more news from the Beehive State and beyond!
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