Skip to main content
Join Now
Team Avatar
Penn State

Carter Starocci on potential 5th NCAA wrestling title: 'It means nothing'

IMG_6598by:Nick Kosko•03/22/25•

nickkosko59

USATSI_25722616 (1)
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Carter Starocci could win his fifth NCAA wrestling title Saturday night, becoming the only wrestler in Division I history to ever accomplish that feat. The Penn State living legend has one more collegiate match, but he doesn’t think much about history.

In fact, it’s just another match for the Nittany Lion. Starocci joined an elite list of four-time champions last year, which includes former teammate Aaron Brooks who graduated last season. Because of his extra year of eligibility, Starocci took the opportunity to chase history.

CLICK HERE to watch Unstoppable on Prime Video — The true story of the indomitable spirit of Anthony Robles

As far as what it means in the grand scheme of things, it’ll mean a lot for Penn State and its fans. For Starocci , he’ll look to the next thing when it’s over.

“For me it means nothing,” Starocci said after his semifinal win Friday night. “It’s here tomorrow, then it’s gone the next day, and then it’s about the next group and the next group. Last year the build-up was, hey, it’ll be the first time in Penn State history, one of the greatest programs ever across all sports.

“And something that Coach Cael not only preaches to me, but also to I think his own kids and our team, is that all this stuff is cool and important, but when you look at it in a huge lens, 50 years from now, oh, like, am I that guy? I remember one time I was a five-time national champ. Oh, cool, but what are you doing now today?”

Starocci will face 2024 NCAA champion Parker Keckeisen, who lost to Brooks in the 2023 finals. The Northern Iowa product fell short of beating Starocci in the NWCA All-Star Classic to kick off the 2024-25 season.

I”t’s just something that comes along,” Starocci said. “And I’m not going to downplay the opportunity, obviously I’m here doing it so it obviously means a lot to me.

“But for the five-time national champ itself, to me it has no meaning. You can take the Penn State wrestling championship logo away, take the name away, take you guys away, put whoever is in front of me, and I’m ready to go. And for me, that’s why I do it.”