Iowa Hawkeyes offensive lineman Cael Winter etched his name into the Solon Beef Days record books on Saturday, launching a hay bale 13 feet and six inches into the air to claim the 2026 Hay Bale Toss championship.
The feat eclipsed the previous benchmark of 13 feet set by Kade Pieper a year earlier, marking a new high for the annual competition that draws the program’s top talent.
Winter, a native of Waukee who starred at Waukee Northwest High School before joining the Hawkeyes, is entering his fourth year in the Iowa program and is poised to see increased snaps on the offensive line this fall.
Looking Ahead to the 2026 Season
The Hawkeyes open their 2026 campaign on September 5 at Kinnick Stadium, hosting Northern Illinois at 3:15 p.m. CT, a game that will give fans a first glimpse of Winter’s expanded role.
Winter will not be alone in the spotlight; fellow linemen Lucas Allgeyer, Trevor Lauck, Michael Myslinski and Leighton Jones also took part in the toss, underscoring the depth of talent within the squad.
The victory adds Winter to a storied list of Hawkeyes who have captured the Beef Days title in recent years, joining names such as Tyler Linderbaum, Tristan Wirfs, Gennings Dunker and the aforementioned Kade Pieper.
Beyond the personal milestone, the event serves as a rallying point for the Hawkeye community, reinforcing the program’s tradition of blending hard‑nosed football with light‑hearted competition.