Carr, a proven winner in high school, posted an astonishing 115-7 record at Erie Tech and a Pennsylvania state title. He was a three-time national champion (1981-1983) in the 150-pound weight class while attending Iowa State, becoming the only Cyclone, and one of only a handful of NCAA wrestlers, to achieve this feat. Carr also captured two Big Eight titles (1980-81), was a two-time participant in the All-Star Classic (1981-82) and complied a lifetime record of 117-20-1 to stand in the top 10 in all time wins in the storied history of Cyclone wrestling. During his time at Iowa State, the Cyclones won two Big Eight team titles (1980 and 1982), one second, and three third place finishes at the NCAA tournament with an overall dual meet record of 68-12.

Upon graduating from Iowa State, Carr embarked on an outstanding international career representing Team USA at many high profile meets worldwide. Carr won a bronze medal at the 1988 Olympics competing in the 149.5-pound weight class while also representing the United States at the World Championships in 1983 and 1990 and serving as an alternate for the 1984 Olympic squad. He was also one of the four Americans to capture gold at the Goodwill Games in Seattle helping the United States win team titles over Russia. He also won three consecutive John E. DuPont/United States National Freestyle championships (1988-90). Carr was a three-time Team USA World Cup member (1983, 1986, and 1989), helping the U.S. tie the Soviet Union for the World Cup team title in 1986 while also winning an individual title. Lastly, Carr also had two appearances at the Pan-American Championships (1986 and 1988), winning an individual title in 1986.

Carr arrived in Morgantown in 1986 and since that time, WVU has had two national championships, 10 All-Americans, won two consecutive EWL dual meet crowns (1990-91), captured the EWL tournament (1996), and sent 64 wrestlers to the national tournament. Carr was honored by the National Wrestling Coaches Association as the assistant coach of the year in 1991. Carr's pupils have been known to perform the way he lives everyday: working hard, living the sport and showing enthusiasm, lots of enthusiasm.