In his press conference Tuesday, Penn State wrestling coach Cael Sanderson found himself picking at his brain for a wrestler's name, but he couldn't find it.

The coach stared down at the table in front of him before a few members of the media suggested "Chidester," referring to redshirt freshman Jack Chidester, who Sanderson usually just calls Jack.

"That's not good," Sanderson said while looking into a camera. "Sorry Jack."

It was just a minor hiccup for a man who's known for perfection in his wrestling career -- evident by his 159-0 collegiate record. Though he's still adjusting to the Nittany Lions, Sanderson isn't ruling out special things from happening with the team he's taken over this season.

With the high expectations surrounding his inaugural season coaching the Lions, Sanderson made it known he has a long-term plan for the program. He is

hoping to put together a few

stellar recruiting classes to build the program into a powerhouse.

Sanderson said the hype surrounding the team could make it tough to follow through with this year's plan to redshirt each freshman, along with All-Americans Quentin Wright and Bubba Jenkins, but he believes there's enough talent on the team to be a potential national contender.

"To win the National Tournament, I know the team I was with last year, we only had four All-Americans and we took third," Sanderson said. "We have the potential this year to have a really strong tournament."

Freshman David Taylor, though he's expecting to redshirt, said he feels an excitement surrounding the team. Taylor said the goal for the veterans on the team is to win a national championship, and he's coming in every day trying to help them better themselves to reach their potential.

Though the team is ranked No. 14 -- along with six other Big Ten teams in the Top 25 -- Sanderson isn't focusing on rankings just yet. Getting the team to maximize its ability is a goal Sanderson said he and his coaching staff have set for the season.

Sanderson said, from now until the end of the year, he'd like to see continuous progress from the wrestlers who will have new starting roles. If that can happen, and they get the most out of their veterans, Sanderson believes the Lions could be higher in the rankings by the end of the year.

Sanderson was hesitant to name any individual who's taken a leadership role on the team, but said a lot is expected out of the seniors. He mentioned his brother, senior 157-pounder Cyler Sanderson, as someone he believes has led by example. The younger Sanderson is beginning his first season as a Lion following an All-American season at Iowa State.

Though David Erwin hasn't taken on a leadership role just yet, Sanderson believes the senior 174-pounder is someone who could step up once the regular season begins. Erwin's 2008-09 campaign was shortened by a shoulder injury, but he heads into this season healthy and looking to rebound for last year's setback.

With the team now under the guidance Sanderson, Erwin is looking forward to getting the season underway.

"Every year it's always exciting to get the season started," Erwin said. "This year we have a new outlook, a new way to go about it."