Penn State star Carter Starocci rips decision to put 184-pound final first, talks historic fifth NCAA title

PHILADELPHIA — Penn State star Carter Starocci became the first wrestler to ever win five NCAA titles on Saturday night when he beat Northern Iowa’s Parker Keckeisen, 4-1, in the 184-pound championship. Afterward, the Erie, Pa., native was happy with his accomplishment, as he not only made history but also defeated the reigning 184-pound champ. But, he was less than thrilled with when the bout was contested during the final session of this year’s championships.

“I’m not sure why ESPN elected for the 184-pound match to be the first one,” Starocci said. “I mean, you have a guy going for his fifth title, and you have the reigning champ. And, I think whoever wins that match is the Hodge Trophy winner [college wrestling version of football’s Heisman Trophy].

“We’ve been dominant all year, and to put that match first, for whatever reason, ESPN or whatever but, it just kind of makes me laugh and giggle, just because, some of the rules that wrestling has in place and things like that, just, it’s no surprise on why wrestling isn’t mainstream. And, so that’s on you guys [the media] to figure out. You guys are the one that can have influence on that. So I think you guys got to look yourself in the mirror and ask yourself questions.”

More: Live updates: Penn State wrestling results and notes from the NCAA finals, full list of winners

There are typically two ways the bout order for the finals is decided in a given year. The NCAA and its television partner, ESPN, can either decide to keep the typical 125-285 pound format that a traditional dual meet follows. Or, it can opt to mix the order up to put a special bout last.

In this instance, the decision was made to get both. The Starocci-Keckeisen match was the first match of the night. From there, the order goes back to 125-285, while skipping 184, of course. That puts Olympic gold medalist and multi-time NCAA champ Gable Steveson’s final college bout last. He faces Oklahoma State’s Wyatt Hendrickson in the 285-pound final.

When news broke of the bout order on Saturday morning, social media was loudly against it. The Nittany Lion agreed with those voices.

An NCAA official told Brad Wilson of Lehigh Valley Live that “it was ESPN’s decision to do it this way. They wanted something good to start.”

There is no question that the conversation surrounding the decision is far from over.

More from Carter Starocci on his NCAA title

Here are a few highlights from the rest of his media session. You can watch a full video of it below.

On his fifth NCAA title

“I mean, it means a lot to me. I never want to downplay the moment. It’s always cool. But one thing that Coach Cael [Sanderson] really instills in us is that, this is all just preparation for the next thing, you know what I mean. And in God’s eyes, I don’t think he looks at anyone different if you’re a national champ or not. I feel like he kind of goes off your character and who you are as a person. And all this is kind of preparation for that. And so, I mean, it’s important, because obviously I’m here doing it, and I love to do it. But I think it ends at that, you know? I mean, I don’t think it’s anything more, anything less.”

What does Carter Starocci want his Penn State legacy to be?

“I think just a guy that just always led by example, always showed up, and it’s no matter the day, if you’re hurt, injured, sad, no matter what, always put your best foot forward. I think that’s just something that I want these younger guys on the team to kind of keep. It’s pushing for more and more and more, and just keep that Penn State dynasty going.”