Little Rock Wrestler Cael Keck Graduates With Honors, Plans to Give Back Through Coaching

From helping build a young program to earning top honors in the classroom, Little Rock wrestler Cael Keck will graduate summa cum laude from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock this May with a degree in business management.

Keck is a six-time dean’s and chancellor’s list honoree, a 2023-24 NCAA Division I Scholar All-American, and a 2024 Pac-12 Conference placer.

A native of Kansas City, Missouri, Keck said he chose UA Little Rock for both its wrestling program and strong academic opportunities.

“What really swayed my decision was the coaches,” he said. “I trusted them from the jump, not just in their ability to coach, but in the type of people they are. It was also only the program’s second year, so I was excited about the chance to help build it from the start.”

Over his time at UA Little Rock, Keck said being a student-athlete shaped his daily life and helped him develop discipline and structure.

“You have to have discipline and time management, especially when things get bumpy,” he said. “I think the most important thing to being a successful student-athlete is finding a routine that prioritizes balancing school and athletics.”

Keck also grew as a leader off the mat, organizing Little Rock wrestling’s volunteer efforts at the Arkansas School for the Deaf and Blind. The team worked twice a week with the school’s elementary wrestling program, assisting students with gear and leading them through drills to build confidence and skills.

He said wrestling taught him how to handle adversity and adapt in difficult situations.

“It’s also taught me to appreciate hard work and staying disciplined,” he said. “Those are things I’ll carry into my career and life after college.”

Keck credits his coaches and teammates with having a lasting impact on his experience at UA Little Rock.

“We are like a family, and they’ve helped me grow as a wrestler and as a person,” he said. “Being in that kind of environment has played a major role in who I am today.”

After graduation, Keck plans to return to Kansas City to coach youth wrestling at the same club where he competed growing up.