David Carr (wrestler)

Carr was a five-time state champion. He won his first title as an eighth grader in Kentucky and then moved to Ohio. He won two state championships at Dayton Christian High School (Miamisburg, Ohio) DIII before switching to Perry High School in Ohio, where he won another two state (OHSAA) DI titles. He was the second-ranked recruit overall and the top-ranked recruit at 165 pounds by FloWrestling when he committed to Iowa State over Ohio State, Oklahoma State and many others.[2][1] He received the Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award in the memory of Dave Schultz.[3]

Carr arrived to ISU to wrestle as a Cyclone at 157 pounds after committing in October 2017.[4]

While redshirting, Carr compiled a 23–1 record wrestling unattached at open tournaments. He claimed titles at four of the five tournaments he competed in and third place at the tournament he lost in.[5]

Carr had an outstanding freshman season competing as a Cyclone, compiling an 18–1 record overall and an unbeaten 9–0 at dual meets.[6] His lone loss at the Cliff Keen Invitational to second-ranked Ryan Deakin.[7] He became the fifth Cyclone freshman to claim a Big 12 Conference title, with notable wins over the #18 and #7-ranked wrestlers in the country.[8] Carr was scheduled to compete at the NCAA championships as the third seed,[9] however, the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[10] After the season, he was named a first-team NCAA Division I All-American due to his performance through the season.[11][12]

In October 2020, the NCAA granted an extra year of eligibility to winter athletes due to the previous season being cut short.[13] Carr competed as a sophomore, and compiled a 12–0 record with three falls, four technical falls, three majors and two decisions during regular season.[6] He claimed his second straight Big 12 title[14] and his first NCAA championship at 157 pounds.

Carr was a standout youth-level freestyle wrestler and his eligibility to compete at this level expired in early 2020.[15] As a cadet, he was a World bronze-medalist,[16] a US National champion and a two-time National finalist.[17] As a junior, he became the 19' World Champion[16] and was also a US Open and Fargo National champion.[17]

Carr made his senior debut as an 18-year old at the Dave Schultz Memorial International. He won his first two bouts in a row with a notable win over four-time NCAA Division I All-American Dylan Ness before being thrown to the consolation bracket by the accomplished Olympian Frank Molinaro in a very close 8-9 decision. He then faced another DI All-American in Sammy Sasso, whom he also lost to on points.[18]

Carr then went on to compete at the Granma y Cerro Pelado International. He once again defeated two opponents in a row with a victory over an NCAA Division I All-American in Anthony Collica. He was then defeated by four-time All-American Brandon Sorensen and three-timer Lavion Mayes, but still competed for the bronze-medal against Franklin Maren, whom he defeated to claim the medal.[19]

Carr competed at the US National Championships (where he was the fifth seed) on October 10–11, making his senior debut at 74 kilograms.[20] After a four-match winning streak (including a victory over Dan Hodge Trophy finalist Ryan Deakin), he was defeated three times in a row by the defending US National title holder Logan Massa, three-time All-American and U23 World Team Member Hayden Hidlay and Deakin, respectively, placing sixth.[21]