Cael Dunn’s Grit Defines His Final Season

Denton, NC— For South Davidson senior Cael Dunn, wrestling has never been just another sport. It’s a lifelong commitment, a family tradition, and a way of life built around hard work and perseverance. A three-time North Carolina high school state champion, Dunn is chasing his fourth crown this season before taking his talents to Campbell University, where he’s already gotten a head start training with the program’s Regional Training Center.

“I think it was around seventh grade watching the 2020 Olympic Trials that I really started to commit,” Dunn said. “I saw how far I could go with the sport and wanted to be the best someday. That was really the turning point for me and when I started to push myself to be better.”

That mindset carried him through three years at Avery County High School, a powerhouse in state wrestling. “Tradition sums it up great,” he said. “The grit and persistence at Avery shaped me most. I wasn’t always the fastest or the strongest, but I always had confidence that no one had outworked me. That’s something that still sticks with me as I move to my senior year and into college.”

When his father, former state champion Matt Dunn, accepted the head coaching job at South Davidson, Cael made the emotional move with him. “Adjusting to the new school was tough. I loved the mountains. Leaving my friends and teammates was tough,” he said. “Despite that, I have no doubt it was the right choice. I have so much more access to training partners and places to make me better here. With building the program, I’m trying to live up to the people that helped me through. I’ve been given so much and had so many opportunities through the sport — I’m doing my best to give back. I get to set the tone and be the example here.”

That role fits naturally for a wrestler who’s always been guided by his dad. “My dad has always been my coach,” he said. “He knows me and the way I wrestle better than I do at times. I have complete trust in him on the mat and know that if he’s telling me to do something, it isn’t just blowing smoke.”

Still, that father–coach relationship can be tricky. “It’s a hard thing to separate between my coach and my dad a lot of times,” Dunn admitted. “If I have a bad practice, I don’t just have a bad practice — I hear about it some at home. My brother and I have worked moves plenty of times in the living room floor because I wasn’t doing it right at practice. Wrestling kind of has a way of butting in to everything we do. It’s not really a separation with us — more of a balance and blend. After all, he isn’t my coach or my dad, he’s both.”

If there’s one thing Cael’s father has instilled in him, it’s a relentless work ethic. “Being taught how to work hard translates to everything one does in life,” he said. That mindset guided him through countless practices and championships, but one moment stands above the rest. “He’s been at every tournament I’ve wrestled since I started at seven years old,” Dunn said. “I would have to say him picking me up after winning my first state title. That’s something I’ll never forget.”

Now a senior, Dunn’s focus isn’t just on repeating as a state champion — it’s on reaching new heights. “It’s finding that next level,” he said. “It’s not just about winning the state title, it’s about seeing how good of shape I can be in, how technical I can be, how much I can push myself, and being ready for what comes after states.”

That mindset was earned through adversity. “My sophomore year, I didn’t place at nationals as a returning All-American, and that one hurt me really bad,” he said. “That whole year, I wrestled and trained angry. Being pissed off seeped into everything I did. I learned to deal with things better and to balance wrestling with other parts of my life. I figured out I was a lot better when I was calm or even happy wrestling and enjoying myself. That really turned a corner for me.”

He also understands how to stay grounded while ranked among the nation’s best. “It’s really easy to get caught up in rankings and how I’m supposed to perform,” he said. “I have to remind myself that I earned the ranking and that it’s still just a wrestling match. Nothing matters except for what happens in the circle every time I put my foot on the line. If they’re going to take anything from me, they actually have to beat me first. Nothing changes until the last whistle blows.”

This past summer, Dunn got an early taste of college competition while training at the Campbell University Regional Training Center. “That was an amazing experience that I’m so thankful for,” he said. “Being at the RTC really helped me progress and start to bridge the gap between high school and collegiate wrestling sooner than most people have the opportunity to. I’m blessed to have gotten to train with the coaches and athletes there.”

Practicing at a college level opened his eyes. “Wrestling with guys that kicked my butt every day made me learn a whole lot faster,” he laughed. “Getting nitpicked and whooped by Coach Dudley pushed me and kind of forced change. I’ve fixed a lot of small things I either wasn’t doing correctly or wasn’t doing at all.”

That experience helped cement his commitment to Campbell. “The way I was welcomed by the athletes stood out the most to me,” he said. “They have two All-Americans on the coaching staff and a multiple-time SoCon champ — they know their stuff. I’ve been around a couple of college programs and spent time at other RTCs before making my choice. It was the first place where I was brought in and made part of the group. It felt like people were excited I was there, and that made a big difference.”

Academically, Dunn has been just as committed. Carrying a 4.5 weighted GPA, he said his drive in the classroom came from a clear goal. “College can get expensive, and that was a big motivator to keep my grades up,” he said. “I wanted to get as much scholarship money as I could.”

He also recognizes his role as a leader for the younger wrestlers at South Davidson. “Being an older guy with experience means I can help with technique questions, weight training, diet options, and other things I’ve learned through the sport,” he said. “I’ve been to the big tournaments and the state finals three times. I know what to expect and can help guys be more prepared for it.”

As he closes out his high school career, Dunn hopes his legacy extends beyond his records. “As a wrestler, I want to be thought of as disciplined and hardworking — those are two of the values that define me,” he said. “As a teammate, I want to be the person that if someone needed me, I was there. That isn’t just on the mat, but in life. Anyone who has bled, sweated, and fought beside me is a brother. I just hope they all knew I was always there for them.” He paused quietly before adding, “Finally, I want to be remembered as a kind person.”