Most wrestlers start the sport quite early like around 6 or 7 years old, but for Cael Houston he took it to the extreme as he started wrestling before he could walk. That’s right, Cael comes from a wrestling family and his dad began teaching him to wrestle when he was only one year old. That may seem a little early but it has paid off. Cael won a state title this year, as a junior, and was named outstanding wrestler of the tournament.
Some would say, that’s just a 1A tournament so it does hold a lot of weight, but Cael did so well that he has been invited to join the Utah National Dual Team. As far as we can find out Cael is the first 1A individual to be given that honor.
Cael has been practicing for the past month with the team and is progressing fast. He is learning new things from his coach, Joe Gorman of Riverton High School, and his new teammates, many of whom are also state champions.
He left school early to travel to Virginia Beach with the team to a National Tournament. Each state brings at least one team and many states field two or more teams. It is anticipated that there will be 150 teams at the tournament.
Normally Cael wrestles in the 160 bracket, but last week he left Panguitch last week weighing 170 lbs, which is every wrestler’s nightmare. One thing he is excited about is wrestling at a lower elevation. His teammates tell him that they could run a mile and not even be winded, but to go back to Utah and run was hard.
Cael says his goal is “to show where I stand. I am tired of 1A being overlooked. We are put up against tough teams in these tournaments and we win even if we are 1A. I want people to show 1A some respect.”
A lot of credit goes to Cael’s coaches Collin Marshall, Sam Marshall, Jeff Crabtree, Eric Houston, Frank Houston and his dad, Randy Houston, but when you get on the mat it is just you and your opponent. Although at this point there may be a few colleges watching also.
Cael’s parents are his biggest supporters and they are traveling to Virginia to watch Cael as he wrestles. He also indicated that he is very appreciative of the financial support from those in the community donating to help him make this trip.
– The Byway
Feature image caption: Cael Houston wrestles in a dual on December 4, 2021. Courtesy Mandy Morrill.