UNI’s Cael Happel driven to compete in NCAA Wrestling Championships after watching last season

CEDAR FALLS — Northern Iowa’s Cael Happel was confronted with one of the most bittersweet moments of his life this past March.

After an impressive redshirt freshman season that boasted a 17-10 record, two wins over Top 25 opponents and a win at the Harold Nichols Open, the former Lisbon prep was named an alternate at 141 pounds for the NCAA Championships.

Plenty of alternates end up hearing their names called to compete on college wrestling’s biggest stage, but Happel’s wasn’t, and he instead entered the offseason having gotten as close as possible to achieving a childhood dream.

“I would say I’m more so just grateful I had the opportunity to go, but it sucks that I had to watch it from the stands and it was completely out of my control,” Happel said. “Coming to terms, that probably doesn’t happen if I perform the way I wanted to perform, so not being there, I took it on my shoulders at the end of the day. I’ve got to win the matches.”

Headed into his second full season of college wrestling, Happel has been focused on what can take him to another level. The confidence he’s built throughout the offseason appears to be as formidable as any other physical developments he’s made.

“I just got a lot of confidence from (the NCAA Championships),” Happel said. “Getting there and seeing guys I beat wrestle at the national tournament win matches and beat guys that they probably shouldn’t have on paper — seeing that and realizing that could be me — I just believe a lot more than I did last year in my abilities (to) win wrestling matches.”

UNI Coach Doug Schwab had a similar explanation for the drive and development he’s seen from Happel.

“The situation that he was in, it’s fuel,” Schwab said. “He’s really developed. He’s very unique (in) his style and how he’s going to go about things. He’s really developing his style and not anyone else’s style. I see the progress happening.

“One thing that I’m absolutely certain of is he will not be sitting and watching the national tournament this year.”