While wrestling has been an instrumental part of Cael Carlson’s family over the years, there is still one thing that runs deeper in the Carlson blood: the family farm.
About two hours west of the Twin Cities is where you will find the Carlson dairy farm in Pennock, Minnesota, a farm that consists of over 1800 Holstein dairy cows and was founded by Cael’s great, great grandfather in 1891. Since then, the farm has been maintained by Cael’s grandfather, who wrestled in high school, as well as his dad and uncle, Chad and Carl, who combined for three Minnesota state titles and both competed for the Gophers in the 1990s.
Now, Cael, who has two state titles in his own right for Willmar High School, has every intention of following in his family’s footsteps and becoming a fifth-generation dairy farmer. Before that, he hopes to build on an impressive debut as a true freshman in 2019-20. Competing unattached, Carlson compiled a 17-5 record with nine pins and an individual title at the Don Parker Open.
A double major in agricultural business management and animal science with an emphasis in dairy production, the redshirt freshman is taking advantage of his athletic and academic pursuits in hopes of using his newfound knowledge back home on the farm, fulfilling a passion that has been instilled in him ever since he was a little kid. Continue reading at gophersports.com →