AMES, Iowa – David Carr has been named the recipient of the Big 12’s 2024 Bob Bowlsby Award, league Commissioner Brett Yormark announced Tuesday during his State of the Conference address to kick off football media days in Las Vegas.

Named in recognition of the conference's former commissioner, the award is the Big 12's most prestigious individual accolade. It is presented to a male and female student-athlete who represent the absolute best in the conference for their leadership and excellence, on and off the field of competition. The winners were determined in a vote by Big 12 athletics directors.

Carr led Iowa State wrestling to its best season in more than a decade, helping the Cyclones to their first Big 12 title since 2009 and a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Championships, ISU’s best finish since 2010.

Adding to a season in which Carr won his second national title to cap a storied career, he has been named the Big 12 Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Iowa State Male Athlete of the Year, Amateur Wrestling News' Hammer Award winner, a National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) Scholar All-American and a First Team Academic All-Big 12 selection.

Carr compiled a 27-2 season record with a 40:3 takedown ratio (80 for, 6 against) en route to winning his national title. He received the Hammer Award, given to the athlete who wins the most competitive weight class at the NCAA Championships, by defeating the No. 1, 2 and 5 seeds in the national tournament. Four of his five opponents in the tournament either finished on the podium or had earned All-American honors at some point in their career.

Carr is active in growing the sport of wrestling in central Iowa, providing free clinics, camps and practices at area schools. He was also an active member of the ISU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

In May, the Canton, Ohio native completed his master's degree in education with a 3.74 GPA. He was a four-time Academic All-Big 12 selection and a four-time NWCA Scholar All-American in his career.

Carr is the second Iowa State student-athlete to receive the honor in the Bob Bowlsby Award’s two-year history, joining Ashley Joens, who was the first female recipient in 2023.

David Carr selected as 2024 Bob Bowlsby Award winner from the Big 12 Conference

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