The Associated Press

DES MOINES -- Cael Sanderson is about to step into an arena where he's not always perfect.

Sanderson, 119-0 in his wrestling career at Iowa State, will compete for a berth in the world freestyle championships during trials in Cincinnati this weekend.

The three-time NCAA champion is still trying to learn all the nuances of the international style and has been beaten in freestyle tournaments. But he goes into the World Team Trials ranked No. 1 at 187.25 pounds after winning that weight at the U.S. championships in April.

That has Sanderson feeling better about his chances in Cincinnati. The trials run Friday through Sunday at Xavier University's Cintas Center.

"First of all, I've gotten a lot bigger. I feel more comfortable with my weight," said Sanderson, who'll go after his fourth NCAA championship next season. "And I've got good experience in the Open and the World University Championships.

"That's what I need, as many opportunities as I can to get experience so I'll be ready further down the road."

As the No. 1-ranked wrestler at his weight, Sanderson does not compete until Sunday, when he'll have a best-of-three series against the winner of a mini-tournament on Friday and Saturday.

The top-ranked wrestler usually has the advantage in those situations, though Sanderson can't say for certain.

"In the past it seems it always worked to their advantage, but I don't have enough experience to say for sure if it is," he said. "It does take a lot of the pressure off from trying to make the finals.

"You only have to concentrate on two or three matches and the other guys have to battle through and hopefully get through without getting too beaten up."

Sanderson earned his No. 1 ranking by beating 2000 Olympian Charles Burton 4-1 at the U.S. meet. Burton is seeded No. 1 in the mini-tournament, which also will have former Iowa wrestler Lee Fullhart and former Minnesota standout Brandon Eggum, who lost to Sanderson in the 1999 NCAA finals and the 2000 semifinals.

The winners at each weight class will compete for the United States in the world championships Sept. 26-29 in New York.

Iowa State Coach Bobby Douglas said Sanderson has an excellent chance of making the team.

"I don't think that's his top priority, to be quite honest," Douglas said. "We had to convince him he should make an all-out effort. He's more concerned about the academics.

"I don't think he has making the world team at this point as one of his goals, but he finds himself in that situation so he's going to compete and compete hard."

With another season left, Sanderson said he still has to concentrate on college wrestling. He has a chance to become the first four-time national champion to go unbeaten.

"I always like to win when I go out. I'm just saying I'm not focused on freestyle yet," Sanderson said. "My mind is on collegiate wrestling for one more year. Then I'll make the transition. I'm not so worried about winning in freestyle."