Carter Starocci
HeadercolorGold
FullnameCarter Alphonse Starocci
Birth dateFebruary 8, 2001 (age 25)
Birth placeErie, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
CountryUnited States
SportWrestling
Weight class174 lb (79 kg)
EventFreestyle and Folkstyle
CollegeteamPenn State
ClubNittany Lion Wrestling Club
MedaltemplatesPenn State Nittany Lions
Show-medalsyes

Carter Alphonse Starocci (born February 8, 2001) is an American freestyle and former folkstyle wrestler who competes at 184 pounds.[1] In freestyle, he was a U23 World bronze medalist in 2022.[2]

In folkstyle, Starocci is the only five-time NCAA Division I National champion in history, and was a three-time Big Ten Conference champion out of the Pennsylvania State University.[3]

Career

High school

Starocci was born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania, where he started wrestling at the age of three. Raised Catholic, he attended Cathedral Preparatory School.[4][5] During his high school years, Starocci became a two-time PIAA Class AAA state champion and four-time state placer.[6][7] In freestyle, he placed at multiple national tournaments and was a Fargo National champion as well as in Greco-Roman.[8] One of the top-recruits in the country, Starocci committed to wrestle for the Penn State Nittany Lions, and closed out his high school career at 172–10.[9]

Pennsylvania State University

2019–2020

Starocci wore a redshirt during his first year in college, racking up an unbeaten 19–0 record and titles from the Southern Scuffle, the Edinboro Open, the Patriot Open and the Clarion Open while wrestling unattached.[10]

2020–2021

Competing as a freshman, Starocci recorded a 6–1 mark in dual meets during regular season, with a lone loss to DJ Washington though a notable victory over All-American Logan Massa.[11] At the Big Ten Conference Championships, Starocci placed second, falling to Michael Kemerer from Iowa after defeating Nebraska's All-American Mikey Labriola to cruise to the finals.[12] Starocci, the third-seed, then became the NCAA Division I National champion with a series of back-to-back wins, and a rematch-victory over Kemerer in the finals to top it off.[13]

After the season, Starocci went up 13 pounds and competed at the US Olympic Team Trials at 86 kilograms, having qualified by becoming an NCAA champion a month before.[14] He was eliminated after losing back-to-back matches to U23 World champion Bo Nickal and NCAA champion Myles Martin.[15]

2021–2022

In September 2021, Starocci competed at the US World Team Trials at 79 kilograms, where after falling in the first round to US National champion Taylor Lujan, he racked up wins over the likes of teammate and three-time NCAA champion Jason Nolf and All-Americans Chance Marsteller and Evan Wick.[16]

Back to folkstyle, Starocci went 15–0 in dual meets as a sophomore, grabbed his first Big Ten Conference title and became a back-to-back NCAA Division I National champion with victories over fellow NCAA champion Mekhi Lewis, three-time All-American Hayden Hidlay and two-time All-American Michael Kemerer, closing out the year at 25–0.[17]

He then competed at the US World Team Trials Challenge Tournament in May, where after falling to US National runner-up Chance Marsteller in a rematch, Starocci defeated three straight opponents, including Dan Hodge Trophy winner Alex Dieringer and three-time All-American David McFadden, to place third.[18] A true-third match against fellow two-time NCAA champion Vincenzo Joseph was set to take place in June at Final X NYC, however, Joseph forfeited the match and Starocci earned a US National Team spot, which qualified him for the U23 World Championships.[19]

In October, Starocci became a U23 World bronze medalist, with wins over U20 World medalist Abdulvasi Balta and U23 European medalist Valentyn Babii though a close loss to Daulet Yergesh in the semi-finals.[2]

2022–2023

Back to folkstyle, Starocci went 16–0 in dual meets during regular season, claimed the Big Ten title and became a three-time 2023 NCAA Division I National champion.[20] He closed up the year at 24–0, with five victories over All-Americans.[21]

In April, Starocci reached the semi-finals of the US Open National Championships with a dominant win over four-time All-American Michael Kemerer, though was defeated by three-time NCAA champion Alex Dieringer in a rematch, and subsequently dropped out of the tournament to place sixth.[22]

2023–2024

A senior, Starocci came in the season looking to become the sixth four-time NCAA champion in history, and looked fit to do so after picking up nine dual meet victories and a Journeymen Classic title.[23] However, he suffered a knee injury right at the end of his last dual meet, and was forced to medical forfeit out of the Big Ten Championships, though earned an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament due to past accomplishments.[24] After two forfeits which counted as losses, Starocci, the ninth-seed, earned four straight victories, including two over past NCAA champions Mekhi Lewis and Shane Griffith, before cruising to the finals and defeating Rocco Welsh to become a four-time NCAA champion.[25]

Starocci then competed at the US Olympic Team Trials in April, where he was expected to cut down to 74 kilograms, though ended up going up to 86 kilograms.[26] After a win over US National champion Pat Downey, he was defeated by U23 World finalist Trent Hidlay, and later forfeited out of the tournament to end his run.[27]

2024–2025

Starocci was given an extra year of eligibility as an athlete who competed during the COVID-affected 2020-21 season. He won the Big Ten Tournament in March and was named the Big Ten Wrestler of the Year.[28] He would go onto win the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships later in March, becoming the first ever five-time NCAA Division I National champion.[29]

Freestyle record

! colspan="7"| Senior Freestyle Matches |- ! Res. ! Record ! Opponent ! Score ! Date ! Event ! Location |- |Loss |17-9 |align=left| Nate Jackson |style="font-size:88%"|2-7 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=1|October 25, 2025 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=1|RAF 02 |style="text-align:left;font-size:88%;" rowspan=1| State College, Pennsylvania |- ! style=background:white colspan=7 |2025 US World Team Trials at 86 kg |- |Win |17–8 |align=left| Parker Keckeisen |style="font-size:88%"|4–3 |style="font-size:88%"|June 14, 2025 |style="font-size:88%"|2025 Final X |style="text-align:left;font-size:88%;"| Newark, New Jersey |- |Loss |16–8 |align=left| Kyle Dake |style="font-size:88%"|3–3 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=2|May 16–17, 2025 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=2|2025 US World Team Trials Challenge |style="text-align:left;font-size:88%;" rowspan=2| Louisville, Kentucky |- |Win |16–7 |align=left| Chance Marsteller |style="font-size:88%"|4–2 |- ! style=background:white colspan=7 |2024 US Olympic Team Trials DNP at 86 kg |- |Loss | |align=left| Evan Wick |style="font-size:88%"|FF |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=3|April 19, 2024 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=3|2024 US Olympic Team Trials |style="text-align:left;font-size:88%;" rowspan=3| State College, Pennsylvania |- |Loss |15–7 |align=left| Trent Hidlay |style="font-size:88%"|4–6 |- |Win |15–6 |align=left| Pat Downey |style="font-size:88%"|12-4 |- ! style=background:white colspan=7 |2023 US Open 6th at 79 kg |- |Loss | |align=left| Alex Marinelli |style="font-size:88%"|FF |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=5|April 27, 2023 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=5|2023 US Open National Championships |style="text-align:left;font-size:88%;" rowspan=5| Las Vegas, Nevada |- |Loss |14–6 |align=left| Alex Dieringer |style="font-size:88%"|1–7 |- |Win |14–5 |align=left| Michael Kemerer |style="font-size:88%"|9–0 |- |Win |13–5 |align=left| Jay Nivison |style="font-size:88%"|TF 10–0 |- |Win |12–5 |align=left| Sean Houston |style="font-size:88%"|TF 10–0 |- ! style=background:white colspan=7 |2022 U23 World Championships at 79 kg |- |Win |11–5 |align=left| Valentyn Babii |style="font-size:88%"|TF 11–0 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=5|October 21–22, 2022 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=5|2022 U23 World Championships |style="text-align:left;font-size:88%;" rowspan=5| Pontevedra, Spain |- |Loss |10–5 |align=left| Daulet Yergesh |style="font-size:88%"|7–8 |- |Win |10–4 |align=left| Abdulvasi Balta |style="font-size:88%"|TF 11–0 |- |Win |9–4 |align=left| Erik Reinbok |style="font-size:88%"|TF 10–0 |- |Win |8–4 |align=left| Oktay Hasan |style="font-size:88%"|TF 11–0 |- ! style=background:white colspan=7 |2022 US World Team Trials at 79 kg |- |Win | |align=left| Vincenzo Joseph |style="font-size:88%"|FF |style="font-size:88%"|June 8, 2022 |style="font-size:88%"|2022 Final X NYC |style="text-align:left;font-size:88%;"| New York City |- |Win |7–4 |align=left| David McFadden |style="font-size:88%"|10–2 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=4|May 21–22, 2022 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=4|2022 US World Team Trials |style="text-align:left;font-size:88%;" rowspan=4| Lincoln, Nebraska |- |Win |6–4 |align=left| Alex Dieringer |style="font-size:88%"|5–1 |- |Win |5–4 |align=left| Brayden Thompson |style="font-size:88%"|10–1 |- |Loss |4–4 |align=left| Chance Marsteller |style="font-size:88%"|4–5 |- ! style=background:white colspan=7 |2021 US World Team Trials at 79 kg |- |Win |4–3 |align=left| Jason Nolf |style="font-size:88%"|4–3 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=6|September 11–12, 2021 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=6|2021 US World Team Trials |style="text-align:left;font-size:88%;" rowspan=6| Lincoln, Nebraska |- |Win | |align=left| Isaiah Martinez |style="font-size:88%"|FF |- |Win |3–3 |align=left| Evan Wick |style="font-size:88%"|8–4 |- |Win |2–3 |align=left| Chance Marsteller |style="font-size:88%"|4–0 |- |Win |1–3 |align=left| Branson Ashworth |style="font-size:88%"|7–3 |- |Loss |0–3 |align=left| Taylor Lujan |style="font-size:88%"|4–6 |- ! style=background:white colspan=7 |2020 US Olympic Team Trials DNP at 86 kg |- |Loss |0–2 |align=left| Myles Martin |style="font-size:88%"|2–5 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=2|April 2, 2021 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=2|2020 US Olympic Team Trials |style="text-align:left;font-size:88%;" rowspan=2| Fort Worth, Texas |- |Loss |0–1 |align=left| Bo Nickal |style="font-size:88%"|1–6 |-

References

  1. ^ "Carter Starocci – Wrestling". Penn State Athletics. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  2. ^ "Nittany Lion Wrestler Carter Starocci Wins Bronze at U23 Worlds". Penn State Athletics. 2022-10-22. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  3. ^ "Starocci & Brooks become four-time NCAA DI champions, Carr wins his second, Penn State is team champ again". themat.com. 2024-03-24. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
  4. ^ Pickel, Greg (2019-03-10). "Penn State commit Carter Starocci finishes prep career in style with second straight PIAA title". pennlive. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  5. ^ "Wrestler Carter Starocci". Fra Noi. Retrieved 2025-03-23.
  6. ^ Erie Cathedral Prep Ramblers Wrestling : Carter Starocci. PA-wrestling.com. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  7. ^ Allen, Zach (2023-04-19). "How a 2-month isolation transformed Carter Starocci's wrestling career". The Daily Collegian. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  8. ^ Dudley, John. "Mental toughness drove Prep's Starocci to double win in Fargo". Erie Times-News. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  9. ^ "Prep state champ Starocci commits to Penn State". Erie Times-News. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  10. ^ "Carter Starocci Champ at 174 as Three True Freshmen Shine at Southern Scuffle". Penn State Athletics. 2020-01-02. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  11. ^ Tolson, Max (2021-01-30). "No. 3 Penn State Wrestling Wins Narrowly Over Indiana 24–15". Onward State. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  12. ^ "Penn State's Carter Starocci advances to Big Ten title match Sunday". Erie Times-News. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  13. ^ "Cathedral Prep graduate Carter Starocci of Penn State wins national title as freshman". Erie Times-News. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  14. ^ "Cathedral Prep grad Starocci, David Carr, son of Nate Carr, to wrestle in Olympic Trials". Erie Times-News. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  15. ^ "Carter Starocci, David Carr eliminated in U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials". Erie Times-News. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  16. ^ "Burroughs earns spot on U.S. world team for 8th time in freestyle". Connecticut Wrestling Online. 2021-09-13. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  17. ^ "Penn State's Carter Starocci repeats as NCAA wrestling champion at 174 pounds". Erie Times-News. Retrieved 2024-03-25.
  18. ^ "2022 World Team Trials Challenge Tournament". Nittany Lion Wrestling Club. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  19. ^ "On Campus: Erie's Carter Starocci to wrestle for US in U23 World Championships". Erie Times-News. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  20. ^ "Starocci and Brooks Win individual Titles for National Champion Wrestling Team". Penn State Athletics. 2023-03-18. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  21. ^ Wogenrich, Mark (2023-03-19). "NCAA Wrestling: Penn State Crowns 2 Three-Time Champs". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  22. ^ "Penn State Wrestling Shines at the 2023 U.S. Open". Penn State Athletics. 2023-04-30. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  23. ^ Wogenrich, Mark (2024-03-18). "For Penn State Wrestling, Destiny Awaits at NCAA Championships". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  24. ^ Carlson, Jim (2024-03-12). "Penn State wrestler Carter Starocci earns at-large bid to NCAAs; Nittany Lions to host Big Tens in 2026". pennlive. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  25. ^ "Penn State's Carter Starocci, Aaron Brooks join exclusive club of 4-time NCAA wrestling champs". CBS Pittsburgh. 2024-03-25. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  26. ^ "NCAA Session I Notes: 10 entries already qualified for Olympic Trials; can Fix win on fifth try?". themat.com. 2024-03-21. Retrieved 2024-03-26.
  27. ^ Sports, Shane Thomas CNHI Pennsylvania (2024-04-23). "Penn State's Starocci speaks on his future after Olympic Trials". The Daily Item. Retrieved 2024-04-24.
  28. ^ "Penn State Wins 2025 Big Ten Wrestling Championships". Big Ten Conference. 2025-03-09. Retrieved 2025-03-22.
  29. ^ Wogenrich, Mark (2025-03-22). "Penn State's Carter Starocci Wins Landmark 5th Title at NCAA Wrestling Championships". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2025-03-22.