University of Minnesota Athletics
Wrestling
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- sande418@umn.edu
Zach Sanders joined the University of Minnesota wrestling staff as an administrative assistant following a successful career on the mat for the Gophers. The 2016-17 season was his first as the team's volunteer assistant coach, but fifth on the program's staff. Prior to the 2023-24 campaign, he was promoted to assistant coach.
During his tenure, he’s helped nine wrestlers at 125, 133 and 141 lbs., earn 15 All-America honors. In addition, 31 wrestlers at those weight classes have qualified for the NCAA Championships, highlighted by Ethan Lizak’s runner-up finish in 2017 and Vance VomBaur's run from the No. 26 seed at 141 pounds to All-America status in 2024. Meanwhile, Chris Dardanes was Big Ten champion at 133 lbs., in 2015.
In 2012, Sanders became the seventh four-time All-American in Gopher history with a third-place finish in the 125-pound division at the NCAA Championships. He finished his career ranked sixth on the Gophers' all-time wins list with a record of 134-27.
Sanders was ranked as high as No. 1 nationally during his senior season. He was named Team MVP for the second year in a row after going 32-4. Sanders took second at the Big Ten Championships, his best finish following two consecutive third-place showings.
Sanders finished sixth at the NCAA Tournament as a freshman before finishing fifth his next two years. He was named to the Amateur Wrestling News All-Rookie Team and voted both Most Outstanding Freshman and Most Exciting Wrestler by his teammates in 2009. Sanders was also an Academic All-Big Ten honoree during his career.
Following the end of his senior season, Sanders competed at the U.S. Olympic Trials in freestyle wrestling. Sanders has represented USA Wrestling abroad numerous times, including the 2019 World Cup. Sanders has qualified for the World Team Trials nearly ten times in his career.
