University of Northern Iowa’s Cael Happel focused on fun while competing in postseason

Cael Happel changed his approach to the postseason a year ago.

The University of Northern Iowa 141-pounder alleviated the pressure he applied to himself and reaped the rewards, going from no wins at the conference tournament to a victory shy of a title.

“It was just being able to compete and have fun,” Happel said. “Just relax. I’m not trying to make the tournament too big. It’s just another couple matches on a weekend in March.

“That was the philosophy last year and this year is the same. Whatever happens happens.”

Happel earned the No. 2 seed and one of 10 Panthers seeded seventh or better at the Big 12 Wrestling Championships on Saturday and Sunday at BOK Center in Tulsa, Okla. Happel opens against North Dakota State’s Peyton Moore and is vying for his third national tournament berth.

“There’s really no pressure,” Happel said. “I feel like I’m at a good place with my skills and wrestling. Just belief in myself. I’m really excited to hit the mat.”

Perspective can be everything. Happel has made the adjustment mentally, realizing that wrestling is a privilege and each opportunity should be relished. Unnecessary pressure has been replaced by enjoyment of the sport.

“It mainly comes from my faith, understanding everything happens for a bigger purpose,” Happel said. “You realize I’ve lost some heartbreaking matches and my life is still pretty good. I’m pretty fortunate in life, regardless of how I perform on the mat. As important as wrestling is in life, it’s a small piece of it, right now. You have so much in your life to look forward to.”

His first two Big 12 tournaments were rough. He went 0-2 each time, receiving an at-large NCAA berth as a sophomore and watching the national tournament as an alternate his initial season. He posted a runner-up finish last year.

“He broke that last year,” UNI Coach Doug Schwab said during his weekly news conference. “He made the finals. The two years before he hadn’t had a win down there. … You try to stay in the moment as much as possible. Focus on your behaviors.”

Happel has posted a 20-3 mark this season, giving him 77 career wins. He has learned what his body needs and doesn’t need for optimum performance, altering his lifting schedule and modifying his rest and nutrition to make his body feel good for competition.

“It just feels food right now,” Happel said. “My offense and defense, in general, I feel like I’m ready to go.

“My skill set is good enough to win a national title. That’s what I look forward to doing.”

The former Lisbon four-time state champion has been more purposeful on the mat, moving foes into positions he wants to exploit and being more efficient in attacks. He has worked on hand fighting and has seen the improvement.

“When he keeps his right hand moving, he’s really good,” Schwab said. “He’s done a great job with his head position. Turn those hands over, get back to the legs and score again and again.”

Northern Colorado’s Andrew Alirez (12-0) is the No. 1 seed. He is coming off an Olympic redshirt season after winning the 2023 NCAA title in Tulsa. Happel lost to Alirez, 7-2, in his first conference tournament match in 2022.

Happel wants an opportunity to wrestle an opponent who has reached the pinnacle of college wrestling and get a good gauge of his progress before the national tournament.

“I want to win the nationals and that’s a guy who has done it,” Happel said. “You try not to look ahead but you do get excited for that. I have three matches to take care of first to get there.”

The Panthers could qualify all 10 wrestlers if seeds shake out to form. Colin Realbuto (149) and NCAA champion Parker Keckeisen are No. 1 seeds. Keckeisen is a four-time Big 12 champion, extending UNI’s 184-pound reign to seven straight seasons (every year UNI has been in the conference). Former West Delaware prep Wyatt Voelker (197), Ryder Downey at 157 and heavyweight Lance Runyon are all seeded third.

“We had a great regular season,” Schwab said. “Now, our job is to out-doit in the postseason.”

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