As the final seconds ticked away, sophomore wrestler Carter Brown wore a smile on his face because he knew that he was going to be a State champion.

“I knew I was going to win because there were a few seconds left, and I didn’t even know how to feel,” Brown said, “I was happy that it was over and I had actually won.”

In the Mizzou Arena, March 1, Brown’s dominant performance earned him the MSHSAA Class 4 215 pound State champion title, and by the first period, it was clear who was going to emerge victorious.

“Once I got that first takedown I knew I probably had it,” Brown said.

By a 10-0 major decision, Brown claimed the State title over Masen Bindel from Liberty High School.

The outcome of Brown’s match did not surprise boys wrestling coach Joe Wier.

“I hate to say it was anticlimactic, but I knew he was going to win,” Wier said.

Brown, who excelled in the 215 pound weight class, previously wrestled at 190 pounds for the first three quarters of the season.

“In mid-January we sent him up [to 215] for the Winnetonka tournament because we knew the number one wrestler at 215 was going to be there,” Wier said.

At the Winnetonka tournament, Brown dominated the 215 weight class and beat Porter Talbot, from Willard High School, in the final to secure first place and a spot at 215 on the Lafayette roster.

“There is no reason to lose weight if you can go up and win,” Wier said.

Since switching from 190 to 215, Brown (43-4) has gone undefeated with a record of 20-0.

“People at 215 are a lot bigger, so they get tired a lot easier. I have tried to switch it up, and instead of trying to score multiple times in a match I will score once or twice,” Brown said.

This was not the first time he brought hardware home. As a freshman, Brown earned a bronze medal in the 175 weight class. 

“Getting third is pretty good, but after seeing Andrew Wier win [State] last year, it made me even more motivated to win this year and be the best I can be,” Brown said.

Also at the previous State tournament, Class of 2024 alum, Andrew Wier, the coach’s son, won the 190 pound weight class.

“It makes me feel good to know that I could pass the torch on to Carter,” Andrew said, “He looked way more confident out there and way more comfortable than I did, and after seeing that, I think he’s going to win two more state titles and become a three-time State champion.”

Both Wiers recognized Brown’s confidence on the mat.

“He was smiling in the State final with 10 seconds left, on top of the guy, before the win,” coach Wier said, “as a sophomore that shows a lot of poise.”

While Brown’s individual success is remarkable, his favorite moments from the tournament were watching his teammate succeed alongside him.

“Obviously winning is fun but it’s even better to be around all my teammates and coaches,” Brown said, “[I am proud of] Max Rowe who only started [wrestling] a few years ago. Last year, he was on the freshman team, and now, this year, placing at state is such a big jump for him.”

Coach Wier is proud of the team for being dedicated to improving.

“[After State] a lot of kids are done for a while, but our kids are going to be back on the mat in another week,” coach Wier said.

Brown is a shining example of this dedication as he is regularly practicing to prepare for the Folkstyle National wrestling championship this weekend among other off-season tournaments.

Brown’s off-season training has translated to national success. He has been ranked 90th overall in the country for the Class of 2027 by FloWrestling.org.

“I hope to win State as a junior and a senior and hopefully go on to college after that with a scholarship,” Brown said.

Coach Wier said that the most important motivation for Brown is not reaching State success but going further and reaching national success.

“The sky’s the limit,” coach Wier said, “He’s looking to be a high level D1 recruit and I think he’s definitely on that path.”

215lb wrestler Carter Brown wins over Liberty wrestler, Masen Bindel by major decision, 10-0. Brown is the boys Class 4 State Champion. pic.twitter.com/P7YYK5p4lD

— The Lancer Feed (@thelancerfeed) March 2, 2025

Carter Brown on his State title and strategy going into the match. pic.twitter.com/9ZdshMWTfZ

— The Lancer Feed (@thelancerfeed) March 2, 2025