Happel Named Bob Steenlage Iowa High School Wrestler of the Year
WATERLOO, Iowa - The National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum announced that Cael Happel of Lisbon High School has been chosen as the 2020 recipient of the Bob Steenlage Iowa High School Wrestler of the Year award.
Named in honor of the first four-time Iowa high school state champion, the award is presented annually to the top high school senior wrestler in Iowa. Cael’s brother, Carter, won the award in 2016.
Happel will be presented his award during the Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa inductions on June 19 at the Prairie Links Golf & Event Center in Waverly, Iowa, on Friday, June 19. For more information contact that National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum at (319) 233-0745 or dgmstaff@nwhof.org.
Happel became Iowa’s 28th four-time high school state wrestling champion and finished with a career record of 217-5. In four state tournament appearances, he did not allow a single takedown and 15 of his 16 matches did not go the full allotted time with nine technical falls, five falls, a major decision and an injury default. Happel will continue his wrestling career at the University of Northern Iowa.
Steenlage competed for Britt High School and won state titles in 1959 (95 pounds), 1960 (103 pounds), 1961 (112 pounds), and 1962 (120 pounds). He wrestled at the United States Military Academy and in four years he did not lose in a dual meet while earning All-America honors in 1966 with a third-place finish at 123 pounds. A graduate of the Army’s Airborne school and Ranger school, Steenlage was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in the Vietnam War.
Bob Steenlage Iowa High School Wrestler of the Year winners
2015 - Max Thomsen, Union of La Porte City
2016 - Carter Happel, Lisbon
2017 - Marcus Coleman, Ames
2018 - Brody Teske, Fort Dodge, and Alex Thomsen, Underwood
2019 - Julien Broderson, Davenport Assumption
2020 - Cael Happel, Lisbon
Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa Class of 2020
Inductees
Eric Akin, Iowa State University
Jason Kelber, University of Nebraska (University of Nebraska)
Alli Ragan, King College
Marv Reiland, University of Northern Iowa
Daryl Weber, University of Iowa
Glen Brand Team Award
1982 Bettendorf High School
Russ Smith Community Impact Award
Corky Stuart
Bob Siddens Iowa High School Wrestling Coach of the Year
Joe Stephens
Bowlsby Family Legacy Award
Carr Family
Bob Steenlage Iowa High School Wrestler of the Year
Cael Happel
Named in honor of the first four-time Iowa high school state champion, the award is presented annually to the top high school senior wrestler in Iowa. Cael’s brother, Carter, won the award in 2016.
Happel will be presented his award during the Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa inductions on June 19 at the Prairie Links Golf & Event Center in Waverly, Iowa, on Friday, June 19. For more information contact that National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum at (319) 233-0745 or dgmstaff@nwhof.org.
Happel became Iowa’s 28th four-time high school state wrestling champion and finished with a career record of 217-5. In four state tournament appearances, he did not allow a single takedown and 15 of his 16 matches did not go the full allotted time with nine technical falls, five falls, a major decision and an injury default. Happel will continue his wrestling career at the University of Northern Iowa.
Steenlage competed for Britt High School and won state titles in 1959 (95 pounds), 1960 (103 pounds), 1961 (112 pounds), and 1962 (120 pounds). He wrestled at the United States Military Academy and in four years he did not lose in a dual meet while earning All-America honors in 1966 with a third-place finish at 123 pounds. A graduate of the Army’s Airborne school and Ranger school, Steenlage was awarded the Bronze Star for his service in the Vietnam War.
Bob Steenlage Iowa High School Wrestler of the Year winners
2015 - Max Thomsen, Union of La Porte City
2016 - Carter Happel, Lisbon
2017 - Marcus Coleman, Ames
2018 - Brody Teske, Fort Dodge, and Alex Thomsen, Underwood
2019 - Julien Broderson, Davenport Assumption
2020 - Cael Happel, Lisbon
Glen Brand Wrestling Hall of Fame of Iowa Class of 2020
Inductees
Eric Akin, Iowa State University
Jason Kelber, University of Nebraska (University of Nebraska)
Alli Ragan, King College
Marv Reiland, University of Northern Iowa
Daryl Weber, University of Iowa
Glen Brand Team Award
1982 Bettendorf High School
Russ Smith Community Impact Award
Corky Stuart
Bob Siddens Iowa High School Wrestling Coach of the Year
Joe Stephens
Bowlsby Family Legacy Award
Carr Family
Bob Steenlage Iowa High School Wrestler of the Year
Cael Happel
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