Minnesota Teen Wrestler Breaks Record With 510 Takedowns

A Minnesota high school senior just proved that six years of dedication pays off in record-breaking ways.

Carter Young from Pierz High School shattered the single-season takedown record last week with 132 takedowns. He also holds the career takedown record with an incredible 510 takedowns across his high school wrestling journey.

The numbers tell a story of consistency and excellence. Young currently has 190 wins with just seven meets remaining before sectional tournaments begin. If he wins 10 more matches, he'll become only the third Pierz wrestler ever to hit the 200-win milestone.

His path to success started early. Head coach Skip Toops has watched Young lead the team since seventh grade, when he competed at just 107 pounds.

"Every day he steps into the practice room, he's going to give you everything he's got and he's going to make everybody around him better," Toops said. "He loves the sport of wrestling and it's really paid off."

Young's approach to his record-breaking season is refreshingly humble. "It's just another accomplishment, I guess," he said after breaking the takedown record. "I don't really focus on it. It's just fun taking them down."

This season alone, Young has compiled a 31-3 record and earned the fifth-ranked spot in Class 2A at 145 pounds. He's competed at the state tournament for four straight years, with his best finish coming in 2023 when he placed sixth at 113 pounds.

Why This Inspires

Young's success shows what happens when natural talent meets unwavering commitment. He's not just breaking records for himself. His leadership has helped lift the entire Pioneers team to eighth in state rankings, the highest spot in their section.

His advice to younger wrestlers captures the spirit that got him here: "Keep working hard at practice and do the extra stuff." Those simple words reflect the daily choices that turned a seventh-grade beginner into a history-making senior.

Young still hasn't decided if he'll wrestle in college, but he's clear about his final high school goal: reaching the state finals. With seven meets left and 10 wins standing between him and 200, this record-breaking season might have one more chapter to write.