IRVING, Texas – David Carr, the 2021 Big 12 and NCAA champion at 157 pounds, has been named the Big 12 Wrestler of the Year, the conference announced on Tuesday. Carr is the first Iowa State wrestler to win this award since the Big 12 started awarding it in 2016.

The Canton, Ohio, native’s 2021 resume included a perfect 20-0 mark on the year, making him the only undefeated wrestler in the Big 12. He posted five wins by major decision, four by fall and four by technical fall for a bonus-rate of 65% on the season. Carr saw 11 of his wins come over opponents ranked in the top-20 nationally.

In accomplishing all of this, Carr was named a finalist for the Dan Hodge Trophy, presented annually to the nation’s most dominant wrestler.

Carr’s march to becoming the Big 12’s top wrestler culminated with a title performance at the NCAA Championships. The two-time All-American claimed the 157-pound crown with a 4-0 decision over Rider’s Jesse Dellavechia in the finals.

At the NCAA Championships, Carr went 5-0 and didn’t yield a single takedown. He outscored his opponents by a 40-10 margin.

With his championship performance, Carr became ISU’s 300th All-American in program history. He is the school’s 50th wrestler to win an individual NCAA Championship and the 70th overall individual champion in school history. He is Iowa State’s first undefeated champion since 2011 (John Reader).

In Tulsa, Carr successfully defended his Big 12 crown taking out Jared Franek in the Big 12 finals by 8-2 decision. Carr became Iowa State’s 57th wrestler in program history to win two or more conference championships.