Carter Starocci details pressure of going for 5th NCAA Wrestling title

Penn State star Carter Starocci has the rare opportunity to win a fifth NCAA wrestling title in March, becoming the first wrestler to do so.

He was granted the extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 waiver. Rather than leaving it on the table, Starocci decided to go for it after already making history with teammate Aaron Brooks, winning title No. 4. The pair are two of seven wrestlers in college wrestling history to win four Division 1 titles.

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Bumped up to 184 pounds this season on one of the most dominant Penn State teams in recent memory, Starocci knows there’s a target on his back.

“I don’t know, I mean, this might be, you’re probably fine with it now, but I was just watching your match, like, maybe, like, a week ago, it was your freshman year in the finals versus the Ohio State guy,” Starocci began while talking to former Penn State star Bo Nickal on Nickals and Dimes. “And I was watching the match. I’m just like, I mean, you’re clearly a lot better at wrestling than the guy, and just like, that match didn’t go your way. So for me in my head, I’m around guys that are all four time national champs, and then if you had an extra year, like, I’m more than certain that you would want it and Coach Cael and all those guys.”

Starocci is 87-4 in his career over the course of his varsity campaigns but two of the losses came via medical forfeit in last year’s Big Ten Tournament. Despite a near perfect record and the opportunity to make history, pressure is something he seldom believes in.

“So for me, and I never really believed in pressure unless it’s coming from myself,” Starocci said. “I don’t really put it on myself, because I’m not looking for any feelings or any love or care on the outside. You know what I mean? If there’s pressure, it’s because of what you’re thinking about, what everyone else is thinking, what the media is putting out and things like that. 

“I found my love early on for the sport of wrestling. And again, I’m just very competitive. So for me, it’s just about how good can I get, you know? And just how can I keep developing my skills and things like that.”

Starocci is 10-0 this season with all of his wins coming via bonus. He has five pins, three tech falls and two major decisions.

Penn State is ranked No. 1 overall and 7-0 this season. The Nittany Lions are back in action Friday at Nebraska.