When David Carr committed to Iowa State in October 2017, the Cyclones knew they were getting a talented individual on the wrestling mat.

On top of his talent, Carr has brought an energy and presence to the wrestling room. Now, the redshirting freshman will display that talent and energy in Havana, Cuba, at the 2019 Granma Cup/Cerro Pelado International on Thursday and Friday.

“This is just a chance for him to get out and get high-level competition,” said coach Kevin Dresser on Carr going to Cuba. “That’s what our program’s got to be about. We want guys that are contending for national titles in the [United States], and we want guys that are contending for world titles outside of the [United States].”

Carr is scheduled to complete in the freestyle portion of the senior level event at 70 kilograms (154-pounds). 

In his final tournament prior to Cuba, Carr continued to assist the Iowa State team in Ames.

At the Last Chance Open, Carr took turns with other Iowa State athletes coaching the unattached Cyclones competing in the tournament. The freshman’s voice often carried over everyone else’s inside Lied Recreation Center.

Inside the wrestling room, Carr’s been referred to as a “puppy dog” because he’s not only one of the younger guys, but he also presents an energetic personality.

At wrestling media day, Carr horsed around with assistant coach Brent Metcalf, with the two sneaking up on one another and trying to take each other down.

On Friday, Carr made his group media interview debut. He cruised through the Lied Recreation Center hallway, dribbling an imaginary basketball before finishing with a Steph Curry-like finger roll. 

He nearly strolled into the wrestling room before being reminded of the interview.

“I would say I’m kind of hyper,” Carr said. “[I] like to have fun, and just get after it.”

Outside of the shenanigans and laid-back demeanor, Carr is also having a nice redshirt season on the mat.

Carr kicked off his career with a loss. The 157-pounder lost to Missouri’s Peyton Mocco in a 9-8 decision.

Since then, Carr’s rattled off 23-straight wins wrestling unattached in tournaments.

Outside of folkstyle tournaments, Carr also competed in the Dave Schultz Memorial Invitational — a senior level freestyle event with plenty of top talent. 

On the front side of the bracket, the 18-year-old Carr delivered a pair of wins before being edged out by the eventual champion at 70 kilograms, 30-year-old Frank Molinaro in a 9-8 loss.

In the consolation bracket, Carr fought for a spot in the third place match, but he lost to Sammy Sasso, 7-2.

“I just learned that I can hang with those guys,” Carr said about the tournament. “I wrestled Frank Molinaro, and I lost 9-8, so it just shows that I’m right there with an Olympian and national champ.”

Racking up wins and gaining senior level experience isn’t just important for Carr, but it assists his workout partners that Cyclone fans see, too.

Redshirt junior 157-pounder Chase Straw competes with Carr in practice, and Straw’s been on a recent hot streak, winning his last four matches. 

“He’s won everything underneath the sun so far that he’s been able to wrestle in,” Straw said about Carr. “That’s always good for me to have someone like that wrestling every day.”