Cael Happel season preview

Cael Happel of Lisbon, Iowa is entering his redshirt senior year at UNI. Happel is a three-time NCAA National Qualifier (2022, ‘23, ‘24) at 141 lbs. for the Panthers.

Last season Happel was 22-10 with two pins, six tech falls, and six major decisions. He also won nine matches against ranked wrestlers. Happel is 57-28 for his career.

In 2022 Happel was named  First Team Academic All-Big-12 and is majoring in accounting.

Cael was the 28th four-time state champion (2017-2020) in Iowa High School history for Lisbon with a 217-5 career record. He was named as the 2020 Bob Steenlage Iowa High School Wrestler of the Year and was also a two-time Fargo All-American.

At Lisbon Happel competed for Hall of Fame coach Brad Smith. The Lions won the 1A state title in 2017 and 2018 with Happel leading the way.

Best of luck to Cael Happel this season.

I will be following Lisbon graduates competing in college wrestling on this blog throughout the season.

2024-25 UNI Wrestling schedule

Saturday, November 16 – at Grand View Open (Grimes, Iowa)

Sunday, November 24 – South Dakota State 1PM in UNI-Dome

Tuesday, November 26 – Missouri (Hartland, Wisconsin)

Fri/Sat Dec 6-7 – at Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational

Saturday, December 14 – Nebraska-Kearney 7PM

Sun/Mon, Dec 29-30 – at Soldier Salute (Coralville, Iowa)

Sunday, January 5 – Nebraska 1PM

Sat/Sun Jan 11-12 – NWCA National Duals in UNI-Dome

Saturday, January 18 – at Arizona State (Tempe, AZ)

Friday, January 24 – at Oklahoma State (Stillwater, OK) 7PM

Saturday, January 25 – Oklahoma 7PM

Saturday, Feb 1 – at West Virginia (Morgantown, WV) 6PM

Saturday, Feb 8 – at North Dakota State (Fargo, ND) 7PM

Sunday, February 16 – Iowa State 1PM

Sunday, February 23 – at Wisconsin 1PM

Sat/Sun, March 8-9 – at Big 12 Championships (Tulsa, OK)

Th/Sat, March 20-22 – at NCAA CHampionships (Philadelphia, PA)

***All times listed are CST