Carter Starocci’s Iconic Penn State Wrestling Journey: Unmatched, Unbroken, Unforgettable

I’m going to stray a bit from the original format I did for both Kerk and Beau. And this is for two reasons.

First off, I’m pretty sure every Penn State Wrestling fan knows how each season ended for Starocci. Which was him at the center of an NCAA finals mat with his hand raised.

Secondly, I believe Starocci has by far the most intriguing “Lasting Legacy” of the three guys I’ve highlighted. More on this later.

So instead of reliving each year in detail, I’m going to list Carter’s regular season record, B1G finish, and NCAA finish.

Penn State Wrestling – Freshman Year 2020-2021

Regular Season Record: 6-1

2021 B1G Finish: 2nd – lost to Michael Kemerer (Iowa) 7-2

2021 NCAA Finish: 1st – defeated Michael Kemerer (Iowa) 3-1 SV

On a side note, Starocci’s lost to Kemerer in the 2021 B1G finals was the last Nittany Lion loss of his entire career. The caveat of course was that this was his last non-injury forfeit or non-medical forfeit loss. More on this later as well.

Penn State Wrestling – Sophomore Year 2021-2022

Regular Season Record: 15-0

2022 B1G Finish: 1st – defeated Logan Massa (Mich) 5-1

2022 NCAA Finish: 1st – defeated Mekhi Lewis (VT) 6-5 TB

Something interesting to note during Starocci’s sophomore campaign was the fact he was out of action for around 20 days. He took out Kemerer once again in Penn State’s dual against Iowa on 1/28/22. However, the next time he stepped onto the mat was in the Rider dual on 2/20/22. And with his left hand heavily taped.

It wasn’t until a week or so from the end of the season that we learned from Cael Sanderson that Carter Starocci won his first B1G title and his second NCAA title with a broken hand.

Yep. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what kind of competitor Carter is.

Penn State Wrestling – Junior Year 2022-2023

Regular Season Record: 16-0

2023 B1G Finish: 1st – defeated Mikey Labriola (Neb) 6-1

2023 NCAA Finish: 1st – defeated Mikey Labriola (Neb) fall 2:46

From start to finish, Starocci’s junior season was clearly his best up to that point.

He set a career high in wins (24), in bonus point percentage (66.67%), and he capped his second straight undefeated season with a thrilling pin in the NCAA finals. But, in his post-match interview, Carter hinted at wanting to achieve the highest of highs among wrestling feats. Namely, winning a gold medal in the Olympics. Additionally, he mentioned his interest in MMA.

So questions began to swirl whether or not Starocci would even be coming back to Happy Valley to pursue his fourth NCAA title.

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Penn State Wrestling – Senior Year 2023-2024

Regular Season Record: 12-0

2024 B1G Finish: 0-2 Medical Forfeit

2024 NCAA Finish: 1st – defeated Rocco Welsh (OSU) 2-0

Well, Carter Starocci did indeed come back and wrestle for Penn State his senior year. Furthermore, he looked even more dominant than the guy from the previous year.

Heading into the Nittany Lions’ final regular-season dual against Edinboro, Carter was 11-0 and he earned bonus points in 10 of those matches. Which was a bonus point percentage of 90.9%. Keep in mind his previous career high was 66.67%.

But as every single Penn State Wrestling fan knows, some bad luck hit Starocci in his Edinboro match.

Just as the referee stopped the match and awarded Carter the technical fall, he yelled in pain and appeared to grab his right knee.

No one knew the extent of the injury. Moreover, no one knew if he would even be able to wrestle the rest of the season.

Coach Sanderson made the call that they were going to have Carter medical forfeit his two matches in the 2024 B1G’s. And two weeks later, with a heavy brace on his right knee and with a “No. 9 Seed” next to his name, Carter Starocci went out and did the unthinkable.

His incredible march through the 174 bracket was something to remember. Especially when you consider he was the first Nittany Lion to ever win four national titles. And he did it on only one leg.

Penn State Wrestling – Senior+ Year 2024-2025

Regular Season Record: 18-0

2025 B1G Finish: 1st – defeated Max McEnelly (Minn) 8-5 SV

2025 NCAA Finish: 1st – defeated Parker Keckeisen (UNI) 4-3

Carter’s final season for Penn State Wrestling defined the word “dominant”.

He posted a career high in victories (26), in bonus point percentage (84.62%), and he posted his third undefeated season of his career.

But more importantly, he won his fifth NCAA title in the process. Something no other D1 wrestler has every done. And it’s something that no other D1 wrestler may ever do again.

Which brings us to …

Carter Starocci’s Lasting Legacy for Penn State Wrestling

Yes, it’s true, Carter Starocci is the first D1 wrestler in history to win five titles. But, does that make him the best ever?

Furthermore, does that also make him the best Nittany Lion wrestler of all-time?

I’ll start with the first question.

Is Carter Starocci the best D1 wrestler of all-time?

The short answer is “no”.

Because look, had Pat Smith or Logan Stieber or Kyle Dake or Aaron Brooks been given a fifth year of eligibility, you better believe they would have won a fifth title. And I would have bet my house and my neighbor’s house (sorry Mike!) that Cael Sanderson would have also won a fifth title, given the circumstances.

But here’s another thing. Those guys weren’t allotted the opportunity. Carter was.

And everyone in sports will tell you, once you reach the top of the mountain, it’s always infinitely harder to reach it again. Yes, Yianni, Pat, and Kyle won four titles. But Carter put in the painstaking work in the gym and in the wrestling room the make a fifth straight ascension to the top.

There aren’t many people in this world who would put in the time it takes to do that. Furthermore, there aren’t many people in this world who could then actually do it.

So Carter Starocci is for sure in the discussion as one of the best to ever lace’em up in collegiate wrestling.

Is Carter Starocci the best Penn State Wrestler of all-time?

Here is where things get a bit hairy.

On one hand, you have a guy who was the first in program history to win four NCAA titles. Additionally, he went 1475 days between his last loss (Kemerer 2021 B1G Finals) and his last career match. And you have the only D1 wrestler to ever be a five-time champ.

But when looking at the best Nittany Lions of all-time, there’s usually a common theme among them.

All-time Wins

1. Jim Martin (155)
2. Kerry McCoy (150)
5. Ed Ruth (136)
6. David Taylor (134)
7. Zain Retherford (126)
13. Bo Nickal (120)
17. Jason Nolf (117)
18. Phil Davis (116)
18. Mark Hall (116)
32. Carter Starocci (104)
49. Aaron Brooks (89)

Career Win %

1. Mitchell Mesenbrink 98.7%
2. Ed Ruth 97.8%
3. David Taylor 97.8%
4. Zain Retherford 97.7%
5. Bo Nickal 97.6%
6. Jason Nolf 97.5%
7. Aaron Brooks 96.7%
8. Andy Matter 96.7%
9. Carter Starocci 96.3%

Career Bonus Win %

1. David Taylor 91.2%
2. Jason Nolf 86.6%
3. Bo Nickal 77.1%
4. Ed Ruth 75.9%
5. Zain Retherford 75.4%
9. Aaron Brooks 65.2%
16. Carter Starocci 59.3%

Career Falls

1. Jason Nolf 60
2. Bo Nickal 59
3. Zain Retherford 53
3. David Taylor 53
6. Ed Ruth 46
7. Mark Hall 41
10. Kerry McCoy 34
N/R Carter Starocci 18

Then there’s another factor to look at.

Between Kerry McCoy, David Taylor, Zain Retherford, Bo Nickal, and Aaron Brooks, you have a total of seven Dan Hodge Trophy winners.

Both Taylor and Retherford each took home the trophy twice.

And even though he for sure deserved the award this past season, Carter Starocci was snubbed yet again as Wyatt Hendrickson got the award.

The only other four-time NCAA champion (other than Carter) to not win the Dan Hodge at least once was Cornell’s Yianni Diakomihalis.

So, back to the question: Is Carter Starocci the best Penn State Wrestler of all-time?

Answer: It’s debatable.

But that above, at least to me, isn’t debatable.