FORMER NCAA CHAMPION AND OLYMPIAN PREACHES TO YOUNG ATHLETES
Carr, an ordained minister, uses the wrestling mat as his pulpit

October 16, 2011

Nate Carr has always thought of wrestling as a crossroads to life.

“Wrestling definitely gets you ready for life,” said Carr, a three-time NCAA champion, who went on to become an Olympic medalist. “You can fail in something, whether it is on the mat or in life, and then realize was that mistake was and use it catapult you forward to something positive.”

Carr, 51, has been spreading his philosophies on wrestling, life and his faith since winning an Olympic Bronze medal in 1988 Seoul Olympics and subsequently becoming an ordained minister. He was on hand at St. Benedict’s on Friday, Oct. 14, directing a wrestling clinic at the school’s Dalton Gymnasium.

The day-long event was arranged by St. Benedict’s coach Solomon Fleckman, who introduced his wrestlers to Carr at the former Olympian’s Prodigy Training Camp in Ohio during the summer.

“Nate really had a great connection with the kids and we really had a wonderful time when we went out to Ohio,” said Fleckman. “He seemed pretty fond of the kids as much as the kids enjoyed him and I promised that I would bring Nate out here. It’s just been a great relationship.”

Carr, who became a minister in 1998, spent most of the day at The Hive, the last 2 ½ hours of which were directing a clinic over three mats spread out side-by-side on the basketball court in the HAB Building.

He spent as much time on wrestling moves as he did speaking about his faith and giving the young men in attendance some guidance.

“God has given me a purpose,” Carr said. “I want these young men to be their best in life and encourage them, not just on the wrestling mat, but in their life to come. I let them know that it’s ok to fail at something and not be considered a failure.”

(Click here to view photos of the clinic that Carr directed at St. Benedict’s Prep and Click here to see coverage from nsidewrestling.com.)

– Story by Ron Jandoli