The same is true of Nate Carr Jr., 2007 NJCAA national champ at 157 pounds. But his father isn't your typical dad who remembers his experience as a high school wrestler and thinks it would be a character-builder for his son.
Then again, most dads can't claim the mat accomplishments that Nate Carr Sr. can.
The elder Carr was a Pennsylvania high school state champ from Erie Tech (115-7) who wrestled for Iowa State. As a Cyclone, he compiled a 117-20-1 record, winning three straight NCAA titles (1981, 1982 and 1983) at 150 pounds. After graduation, Nate Carr Sr. focused on his freestyle career, winning both the World Cup and Pan-American Championships in 1986, and culminating with a bronze medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. (Viewers of last season's telecasts of RealProWrestling may recognize Carr as one of the commentators, joining two-time Olympic medalist Rulon Gardner, and long-time wrestling broadcaster Tim Johnson.)
Nate Carr Jr. is already writing an impressive wrestling resume of his own. A Georgia high school state champ, the junior Carr -- a freshman at Iowa Central Community College in Fort Dodge -- claimed the 157-pound title at the National Junior College Athletic Association championships in Rochester, Minnesota in late February.
Father and son
You might assume that a father with the mat credentials of Nate Carr Sr. would have urged his son to take up wrestling at an early age… but that's not the case at all. "Dad started me in other sports first," according to the 2007 NJCAA champ. "He encouraged me to get involved in other sports �- baseball, soccer, hockey. He didn't push me into wrestling at all. In fact, each of us kids had to complete a book before he let us take up wrestling."
Nate Carr Jr. (Photo/John Johnson)Nate Carr Jr., one of seven children, was home schooled until he entered high school, where he won the Georgia high school state championship and compiled a 210-2 prep record. His father is now a minister, but still is involved in his son's wrestling career… coming all the way to the Midwest a week early to help his son prepare for the nationals, then being at his side in Rochester.
"Dad is a great motivator. Positive, respectful."
Luke Moffitt, head wrestling coach at Iowa Central, says, "His dad taught his son to be a good man, a good Christian, and a good student before being a good wrestler. He has his priorities straight."
A roadblock forces a change in college plans
Nate Carr Jr. had always dreamed of wrestling at West Virginia University, and had committed to compete for the Mountaineers in November of his senior year in high school.
Then, a roadblock: He missed being eligible for competing at the Morgantown school by being ten points shy on his SAT's.
"I found out two weeks before I was supposed to go to West Virginia," says the Iowa Central wrestler. "I was mentally distraught for a week."
"Then I remembered that God always has a plan."
Nate and his father considered a number of junior colleges, but Iowa Central caught the eye of the Carrs for at least two reasons: The Tritons were the defending NJCAA champs … and dad being a grad of Iowa State in Ames, about an hour from ICCC in Fort Dodge.
"Willie Gadson helped me make the decision," says the younger Carr of the two-time All-American for the Iowa State Cyclones in the mid 1970s, and family friend.
Luke MoffittNate Carr Jr. made a positive impression almost immediately after arriving at Iowa Central. "Folks around campus say great things about him," says Moffitt, an ICCC alum himself who won a NJCAA title in 2000, then went on the Iowa Hawkeyes where he was a Big Ten champ and outstanding wrestler of the conference championships in 2002.
"If you take the right path, things will work out for you."
Big-time preparation at a junior college program
Nate Carr Jr. immediately discovered why the Iowa Central Tritons were national champs. "We take on tough DI opponents in open tournaments (and) our practices are harder than some DI practices I've seen."
"Coach Moffitt wants us to be not only physically tough, but mentally tough, mentally prepared."
"In September or October, we started running seven or eight miles a day, no wrestling at all at first."
Later, the training regime featured running in the morning, wrestling in the afternoon.
A bit later in the season, swimming was added into the mix.
"We'd show up at 6 a.m. at the YMCA," says Carr. "Thirty-five laps every morning, before the older ladies came to do their water aerobics. (Swimming is) one of the best things to get in shape for wrestling. You use every muscle in your body."
Challenges … then the championships
Nate Carr Jr. got his wish to start for the Iowa Central Tritons. He realized his dream of wrestling -- and more than holding his own -- against big-time competition, placing in all but one of the open tournaments featuring Division I wrestlers.
But it wasn't all smooth sailing. The ICCC freshman faced some challenges �- "I had some injuries that I had to fight through," according to the wrestler. Despite those injuries, Carr was able to build a 35-5 record, and get back into top form for the NJCAA Championships in late February.
Part of the preparation process: "Dad came to work with me for the week before the nationals … He even ran some of our practices."
Nate Carr Sr. stayed to be with his son at the NJCAA Championships. "I always wrestle better when my dad's there."
The Triton wrestler got off to a powerful start at the NJCAA's, getting technical falls in his first two matches. In the semifinals, he went up against the third-seeded Jason Nichols of Pratt. "It was tied 4-4 in the first period," according to Carr. "He started to slow down. I was able to get the 7-6 victory."
Nate Carr Jr. (Photo/John Johnson)"In the third period, I picked neutral. He was getting tired … I kept going. It was one of the most intense matches I've had."
Coach Moffitt weighs in with his analysis: "Early in the season, we saw that he needed to work on mental toughness, so that's something we concentrated on this year. He's grown so much mentally this year … "
"He got rode in the finals, but he came back in the third period with three takedowns. Almost any other kid would have been broken."
The final result: Nate Carr Jr. defeated Jeb Clark, 6-5, to win the 157-pound NJCAA title. Carr was one of three individual champs -- and nine All-Americans -- for Iowa Central, helping to propel the Tritons to their second straight national title by a 49.5 point margin.
"This is the first time I've been on a championship team," says Carr. "I'm blessed to be with a good group of guys."
Coaches' comments on the champ Carr
"Nate leads by example," says head coach Luke Moffitt. "He's extremely talented, and super-fast."
Troy BennettTroy Bennett, assistant coach, chimes in. "Great work ethic in the classroom and at practice."
"He was brought up with high expectations," adds Bennett. "He doesn't think 'I'm Nate Carr', entitled to special treatment. He's very respectful."
What'll drive Carr into the future
During the interview for this profile -- conducted immediately before the NCAA's in Auburn Hills, Michigan -- Nate Carr Jr. disclosed that he would be attending the event "to watch, learn more technique, and get a look at some of the guys I hope to wrestle in the future."
As of now, it appears that Carr will take his redshirt year next season, focusing on his studies at Iowa Central … and considering a Division I college to continue his education and his wrestling career.
"Right now, I'm looking at Iowa State, West Virginia, and Illinois," says the younger Carr.
"We think he'll attract the attention of plenty of top programs," according to assistant coach Bennett.
He already has. According to Carr, a number of DI coaches made the trip to Rochester, Minnesota through heavy snow … and it wasn't to see the doctors at the world-renowned Mayo Clinic either. Coaches like Iowa State's Cael Sanderson came to see the wrestler with highly respected name deal with opponents with surgical precision.
When discussing the attributes of his 157-pound starter, head coach Moffitt mentioned Nate Carr's pattern of going to his teammates after they come off the mat. "I'm usually giving last-minute instructions and encouragement to the guy about to go out to wrestle, so I'm not always able be with the wrestler who's just finished his match … Nate has a great ability to console the ones who have lost, pointing out something they might have done differently, and provide encouragement."
Nate Carr Jr. (Photo/John Johnson)When asked if he'd consider a career in coaching, Nate Carr Jr. immediately responded, "I want to be an NCAA champ. That's my first focus … I'll choose a school that helps me reach that dream."
Carr is majoring in sports management, which shapes his career goal: "I want to be a sports agent, and help other athletes realize their dreams."
"I may consider coaching later."
As for his wrestling career beyond college, the younger Carr may be following his father's lead. "I want to get back into freestyle, get some more experience, working towards the 2012 Olympics."
Like father, like son.
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