16d ago other sports Edit

Four-time NCAA champion Carter Starocci set to return to Penn State

Dylan Callaghan-Croley • Happy Valley Insider

Editor

Carter Starocci is not done, yet. On Wednesday night, the four-time NCAA Champion announced via social media that he was returning for one final season with the Nittany Lions and would be chasing an unprecedented fifth NCAA Title.

JOIN TODAY AND GET 30 DAYS FREE! | THE LIONS DEN FORUM | PENN STATE FOOTBALL 2025 RECRUITING CLASS | PENN STATE BASKETBALL RECRUITING

"My journey here at Penn State has meant the world to me," Starocci said in his announcement on X. "When I stepped foot in the PSU wrestling room, I set a goal to dominate, and that's what I have done for the past four years. Since being in Happy Valley, I have racked up 7 NCAA Championships 3 team and 4 individual titles. Even though this is an individual sport, none of this would've been possible without the support of my teammates,coaches, staff, and family. Each and everyone of you has had a significant impact on me, and I want to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. God continues to bless me every day and I will continue to follow the plan guided through the Holy Spirit."

"As everyone knows, this year was difficult as I had to deal with many things both on and off the mat. Even though this season ended with me on top of the podium, I was not satisfied. I'm here to take over. With one year of eligibility left, I want to end my collegiate career on my terms. Healthy, in style, and in a dominant fashion. With this in mind, I'm excited to announce that I will be returning to Penn State to bring another national title to State College, Pennsylvania."

For his career at Penn State, Starocci holds a 93-4 overall record and has not lost a match in which he has wrestled since the 2021 season, however, he did have his 64-match winning streak ended during the Big Ten Tournaments as he injury defaulted out of two matches due to a leg injury he suffered in the Nittany Lions' regular season finale against Edinboro.

During his most recent NCAA individual title run, Starocci entered the NCAA Tournament as a No. 9 seed before working his way through the bracket while working with one healthy leg as he was still recovering from the leg injury he suffered against Edinboro.

En route to his fourth NCAA title, Starocci defeated the likes of Virginia Tech's Mehki Lewis, Michigan's Shane Griffith, and Ohio State's Rocco Welsh despite not being fully healthy.

The fourth career individual NCAA title made him the sixth wrestler all-time to achieve the feat, he would be joined shortly afterwards in the exclusive club by teammate Aaron Brooks.