Happel on pin of Washburn: 'Everyone expected that match to be in the finals'

 DES MOINES - Carter Happel turned 17 years old today.He was going to make sure to visit his parents, Dawn and Dean, for a birthday gift. Unfortunately for them, it will pale in comparison to the present he provided to himself.

Lisbon's top-ranked 132-pound sophomore scored a fall in 3:58 over Alburnett's No. 2 Hunter Washburn in a battle of aspiring four-time state champions during the Iowa High School Athletic Association Class 1A state wrestling tournament Friday at Wells Fargo Arena.

Happel was the 1A 120-pound state champion last year, while Washburn, a junior, won titles the previous two years. Happel kept his goal of becoming a four-time state champion alive, beating Washburn for the third time this season and derailing his bid to join the elite group.

"Everyone expected that match to be in the finals," said Happel, who improved to 51-0. "It was a big match for me. Plus, we were both contesting for four."

The match swayed in his favor with an exchange in the second period. With the match scoreless after the first, Happel escaped to take a 1-0 lead about 25 seconds into the period. Washburn attempted a takedown when Happel whipped him to his back. Washburn fought, but Happel adjusted with a cowcatcher and eventually settled to get the fall with two seconds on the clock.

"He shot in and I had an underhook," Happel said. "He came up and I just tried to capitalize off it and threw him over. I squeezed as hard as I could to get him. It took me a long time."

The pair have wrestled numerous times. Happel had two decisions over Washburn, coming in the first week of the season and again in the Tri-Rivers Conference finals. Confidence was not an issue and Happel said he felt in charge before the big move.

"I think I was controlling most of the match," Happel said. "I was taking most of the shots and defending his off easily. I was getting pushouts and keeping my butt to the center."

Happel advances to the Friday night's semifinals, facing third-ranked J.D. Rader, of South Hamilton. Rader (39-0) advanced to the semifinals with a 15-5 major decision over Riverside's tucker Bluml.

"I'll enjoy it for now," Happel said. "I'm going to start getting my mind ready for the next match. Take it one at a time."