In the history of American sport, there have existed myriads of athletes whose names have achieved immortality, players whose existence will be acknowledged by people with no interest in sports whatsoever centuries after their playing days are over.

While former Iowa State wrestler and Olympic champion Dan Gable may not be nationally recognized outside of the wrestling community and the state of Iowa, his career achievements and mind-boggling dominance of his sport exceed that of many athletes deemed legendary.

The undefeated streak which he began his college career was so astonishing, and thought to be so insurmountable, that no one has ever verified the exact number. Iowa State officials estimate it to be at 100 matches, while NCAA authorities list it at 98 matches.

It took 30 years, but the record has now come into the question, thanks to fellow Cyclone Cael Sanderson, who tied Gable's supposed mark last Sunday with his 100th straight victory, a second period pin over Hofstra's Ralph Everett.

Sanderson gets his chance to claim that record for himself in Iowa State's first round match at the Cliff Keen/National Wrestling Coaches Association National Duals at the Bryce Jordan Center. The round begins at 9 a.m. tomorrow, but matchups will not be available until the draw is announced at 1 p.m. today.

Gable hasn't show much concern for his possibly doomed record, and has told all interviewers that he was happy to see Sanderson approaching the lofty feat.

During an ESPN interview, Gable compared Sanderson's chasing of the record to Mark McGwire closing in on Roger Maris' and Babe Ruth's home run records.

Sanderson has shown the same level of respect for Gable.

"He is the man," Sanderson said. "He's one of the names you always hear about growing up. Doing anything close to what he's done is an accomplishment, and it's a pretty awesome feeling to do something he's done. It's really an honor."

If Gable is wrestling's version of Ruth, then Sanderson is quickly earning the distinction of being the sport's McGwire.

As a junior, he has already won two national championships at the 184 pound weight class and been named outstanding wrestler at each NCAA Tournament he wrestled in, twice winning the Dan Hodge award given to the season's outstanding wrestler.

When asked to describe the enormity of what Sanderson has done, most subjects take a silent moment, straining to find the right words to use, before giving up and simply calling him the best they've ever seen.

"His accomplishments are just off the charts," Iowa State coach Bobby Douglas said. "He has set such a high standard with his accomplishments. He's raised the bar to a whole other level.

"I've coached a lot of wrestlers, and I've only seen one other wrestler with the intensity and work habits he has. We thought he would be a great wrestler, but we didn't think he would be this good. When we put him in as a starter at 184 pounds, we figured maturity would play a factor, but he just has such a big competitive heart, and that made all the difference."

He is still 23 matches short of the all-time record for matches without a loss. Former University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown wrestler Carlton Haselrig was 122-0-1 during his unbeaten stretch.

Sanderson, the four-time Utah high school state champion, has never been challenged in his collegiate years.

"He's been slightly pushed, but he's always been able to turn it up another notch," Douglas said.

Gable was present at his record-tying victory and told him that the madness would soon be over.

"He just told me one more match and the media would lay off, and I would be able to focus on my goal which is winning nationals," Sanderson said.

Sanderson is from a family of wrestlers from the small town of Herber City, Utah. His brother Cole, a senior, is Iowa State's starter at 157 pounds, and his brother Cody graduated last year after twice being an NCAA finalist at 133 pounds for the Cyclones.

His father Steve wrestled at BYU and coached his sons at Wasatch High School. Sanderson feels this has made dealing with the pressure of his record run easier.

"Wrestling has been a big part of our family forever," he said. "In some ways, our lives are focused around it. This has really pulled us together as a family. They've been my support forever, and they've helped me out a lot during this."

Both Douglas and Penn State coach Troy Sunderland expect Sanderson's record chase to serve as a major draw for the National Duals.

"He has just been untouchable," Sunderland said. "For him to be able to break a record that has stood that long is just an amazing accomplishment. I think there will definitely be some people who will come out to see him break this record."

Should the Nittany Lions and Cyclones face off at some time during the tournament, Lion captain and Jeff Knupp would be pitted against Sanderson, whom he lost to 21-6 in the first round of the National Duals last season. Knupp saw Sanderson wrestle for the first time when he was a freshman in high school and holds a lot of respect for the new king of the mats.

"Cael's probably the best wrestler I've ever seen," Knupp said. "It's a really neat feeling to know that this record is going to be broken in my time at college. It's unfortunate that he's at my exact weight class, but if I have to face him, I'll just go in feeling like I can beat him. That's the only way you have a chance against someone like Cael is if you go in and wrestle your own match, and never think that he's unbeatable."

While Knupp and other wrestlers have to try to keep thinking they can win, Sanderson keeps thinking that he can lose.

"I know there's a lot of great competition out there," Sanderson said. "That's what I focus on. I know I have to keep going out and give every match my best shot. The record will take care of itself."

And his coach thinks that attitude makes him a good ambassador for wrestling.

"He represents his sport with such class," Douglas said. "His performance and the way he holds himself make people want to come out and see him wrestle. He is a truly classy gentleman."