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Carter Starocci

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Carter Starocci
Personal information
Full nameCarter Alphonse Starocci
Born (2001-02-08) February 8, 2001 (age 23)
Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Sport
CountryUnited States
SportWrestling
Weight class174 lb (79 kg)
Event(s)Freestyle and Folkstyle
College teamPenn State
ClubNittany Lion Wrestling Club
Coached byCael Sanderson
Medal record
Men's freestyle wrestling
Representing the  United States
U23 World Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2022 Pontevedra 79 kg
Collegiate Wrestling
Representing the Penn State Nittany Lions
NCAA Division I Championships
Gold medal – first place 2021 St. Louis 174 lb
Gold medal – first place 2022 Detroit 174 lb
Gold medal – first place 2023 Tulsa 174 lb
Gold medal – first place 2024 Kansas City 174 lb
Big Ten Championships
Gold medal – first place 2022 Lincoln 174 lb
Gold medal – first place 2023 College Park 174 lb
Silver medal – second place 2021 State College 174 lb

Carter Alphonse Starocci (born February 8, 2001) is an American freestyle and former folkstyle wrestler who competes at 174 pounds.[1] In freestyle, he was a U23 World bronze medalist in 2022.[2]

In folkstyle, Starocci became the sixth four-time NCAA Division I National champion in history, and was also a two-time Big Ten Conference champion out of the Pennsylvania State University.[3]

Career

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High school

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Starocci was born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania, where he started wrestling at the age of three, later on attending Cathedral Preparatory School.[4] During his high school years, Starocci became a two-time PIAA state champion and a four-time state placer.[5] In freestyle, he placed at multiple national tournaments and was a Fargo National champion as well as in Greco-Roman.[6] 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.[7]

Pennsylvania State University

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2019–2020

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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.[8]

2020–2021

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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.[9] 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.[10] 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.[11]

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.[12] He was eliminated after losing back-to-back matches to U23 World champion Bo Nickal and NCAA champion Myles Martin.[13]

2021–2022

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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.[14]

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.[15]

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.[16] 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.[17]

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

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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.[18] He closed up the year at 24–0, with five victories over All-Americans.[19]

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.[20]

2023–2024

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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.[21] 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.[22] 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.[23]

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.[24] 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.[25]

Freestyle record

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Senior Freestyle Matches
Res. Record Opponent Score Date Event Location
2024 US Olympic Team Trials DNP at 86 kg
Loss United States Evan Wick FF April 19, 2024 2024 US Olympic Team Trials

United States State College, Pennsylvania

Loss 15–7 United States Trent Hidlay 4–6
Win 15–6 United States Pat Downey 12-4
2023 US Open 6th at 79 kg
Loss United States Alex Marinelli FF April 27, 2023 2023 US Open National Championships United States Las Vegas, Nevada
Loss 14–6 United States Alex Dieringer 1–7
Win 14–5 United States Michael Kemerer 9–0
Win 13–5 United States Jay Nivison TF 10–0
Win 12–5 United States Sean Houston TF 10–0
2022 U23 World Championships 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) at 79 kg
Win 11–5 Ukraine Valentyn Babii TF 11–0 October 21–22, 2022 2022 U23 World Championships Spain Pontevedra, Spain
Loss 10–5 Kazakhstan Daulet Yergesh 7–8
Win 10–4 Turkey Abdulvasi Balta TF 11–0
Win 9–4 Estonia Erik Reinbok TF 10–0
Win 8–4 Bulgaria Oktay Hasan TF 11–0
2022 US World Team Trials 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) at 79 kg
Win United States Vincenzo Joseph FF June 8, 2022 2022 Final X NYC United States New York City
Win 7–4 United States David McFadden 10–2 May 21–22, 2022 2022 US World Team Trials United States Lincoln, Nebraska
Win 6–4 United States Alex Dieringer 5–1
Win 5–4 United States Brayden Thompson 10–1
Loss 4–4 United States Chance Marsteller 4–5
2021 US World Team Trials 3rd place, bronze medalist(s) at 79 kg
Win 4–3 United States Jason Nolf 4–3 September 11–12, 2021 2021 US World Team Trials United States Lincoln, Nebraska
Win United States Isaiah Martinez FF
Win 3–3 United States Evan Wick 8–4
Win 2–3 United States Chance Marsteller 4–0
Win 1–3 United States Branson Ashworth 7–3
Loss 0–3 United States Taylor Lujan 4–6
2020 US Olympic Team Trials DNP at 86 kg
Loss 0–2 United States Myles Martin 2–5 April 2, 2021 2020 US Olympic Team Trials United States Fort Worth, Texas
Loss 0–1 United States Bo Nickal 1–6

References

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