BURNSVILLE, Minn. — Augustana's Cael Larson has been voted by the league's head coaches as the 2025-26 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Outstanding Senior of the Year for wrestling.

A native of Piedmont, South Dakota, Larson holds a 3.82 grade-point average while pursuing his Master of Business Administration after earning his undergraduate degree in business administration. He is a three-time NSIC All-Academic Team selection, a three-time NWCA All-Academic honoree and has been named to the Dean's List multiple times during his collegiate career.

The NSIC Outstanding Senior of the Year Award is presented annually to a wrestling student-athlete who has competed at their institution for four years and has demonstrated excellence in athletics and academics while making a positive contribution to their team, university and community. The award recognizes seniors who exemplify the ideals of the NSIC student-athlete.

Larson concludes his career as one of the most accomplished wrestlers in Augustana history. He is a two-time NCAA national qualifier and captured the 2025 NCAA Division II National Championship at 157 pounds, becoming one of the elite wrestlers in program history. Larson also claimed the 2025 Super Region 5 championship and was a two-time regional finalist, consistently competing among the top wrestlers in the country throughout his career.

In addition to his success on the mat, Larson has been a leader within the Augustana wrestling program. He has served as a mentor to younger student-athletes and has been instrumental in helping teammates adjust to collegiate academics and athletics, demonstrating a strong commitment to the program's culture and success.

Larson has also made a significant impact in the community. He volunteered for five years with Meals on Wheels' "Rake the Town" initiative, assisted with the Special Olympics Southwestern Bowling Championships, and served three years on Augustana's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. He has also volunteered at the Augustana athletic banquet, the Ollie Awards banquet and the Miss Miracle event, consistently giving his time to support others.

"Cael is irreplaceable," said Augustana head coach Jason Reitmeier. "He is an incredible student and athlete, and an outstanding leader and mentor for our younger student-athletes. Cael is always working with our freshmen and helping them navigate their first semester of school. He never has to be asked to help, he is always one of the first to volunteer. Cael has also dealt with a lot of health issues over the years and never complains, just works through them and finds a way to represent our program at the highest level."