John Francis Carr

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John Carr’s interest in wrestling began when he would accompany his brother Tom Carr to the Wilkes-Barre YMCA where he would roll around with the “older boys”. This early introduction led to his becoming a four-time PIAA District 2 Champion wrestler for Hanover Area High School (1957-1960). His other high school accomplishments were Regional Championship in 1959 & 1960 and State Championship in 1960. John, because of these victories, was awarded the Hooper Memorial Award in 1959 and 1960. After high school, Carr captured a Connecticut State Title while wrestling for Cheshire Academy and also won a New England Championship while leading his team to a team title. While attending the University of Pittsburgh, he placed third in Eastern finals. Upon his return to Wilkes-Barre, he enrolled at Wilkes College where he became a Middle Atlantic Conference Champion 1965-1966. In the Wilkes College Open, John placed second in 1965 and was champion in 1966. He was NCAA College Division Champion in 1965-1966. At the NCAA, Carr placed third in 1966. At Wilkes College he was elected team captain in 1966 and was voted Outstanding Wrestler and Athlete of the Year. John was a member of the nations #1 Small College Team. After his years at Wilkes, John began his teaching and coaching career with Hanover School District. Coach Carr was the Hanover – Hanover Area wrestling coach for 22 years – from 1967 to 1989 – with an overall record of 216-142-6. He coached Wyoming Valley Conference champion teams seven times (1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1975, 1977 and 1982), and four District 2 champion teams (1970, 1971, 1975 and 1982). During his coaching career, individual wrestling titles included 50 District 2 Champion wrestlers, 35 Regional place winners, 9 State place winners and 1 State Champion, his nephew Fritz Bleich. His Hooper Memorial Award winning wrestlers included 8 First place winners, 3 Second place winners and 4 Third place winners. Coach Carr was inducted into the Pennsylvania Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame in 1988 and into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2003. He was voted #14 in the Citizens” Voice Top 100 Athletes of the Wyoming Valley. He was married to Mary Gorham Carr and had a daughter Molly Carr. Molly is an elementary librarian with the Pittston Area School District. Coach John Carr passed away in May 1999.