Penn State wrestler Carter Starocci announces stay or go decision for 2024-2025 season

Penn State wrestler Carter Starocci has made his stay-or-go decision. The four-time NCAA champion and Erie, Pa., native told reporters earlier in April that he was leaning toward returning for a final season. He is now 100 percent certain that he will do so, as he announced his plans to compete for the Nittany Lions for a final year in 2024-2025 on social media, where he wrote:

“Build a legacy that won’t be touched EVER. Penn State, Stand Up. Onward and Upward”

Starocci could become the only five-time NCAA champion in the sport’s storied history if he wins another collegiate title next March. After winning four straight at 174 pounds, he figures to wrestle at a larger weight, likely 197 pounds, this winter.

“I just love wrestling,” Starocci previously told Flo Wrestling. “So, I just think whatever makes sense and obviously what’s best for the team too. Because, like, that room, there are so many guys, and you’re thinking like, where’s [Shayne] Van Ness going to go in the lineup? Where’s Haines going to go? Because, he doesn’t want to cut any more. So it’s just, I guess, whatever is best for the team. And so but yeah, I mean, I can get a crack at ’97 too.”

Read Carter Starocci’s full statement on returning for a final season with the Lions

Here is Starocci’s statement on returning in full:

“My journey here at Penn State has meant the world to me. 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 every one 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, l’m excited to announce that I will be returning to Penn State to bring another national title to State College, Pennsylvania.”

What will the Penn State wrestling lineup look like in 2024-2025?

At this point, we know for a fact that Beau Bartlett will wrestle at 141 pounds. Greg Kerkvliet, if he elects to join Bartlett and Starocci in returning, will man the heavyweight spot. The rest of the potential Penn State lineup, is up in the air. Here are just some of the questions that must be answered:

–Will sophomore-to-be Braeden Davis handle 125 pounds again? Could he redshirt instead? Might he bump up and challenge Aaron Nagao at 133 pounds? All options are on the table.

–Who will handle 149 pounds? It was returning All-American Shayne Van Ness’ spot until he suffered a season-ending injury in December. Sophomore-to-be Tyler Kasak took it after that and finished third at NCAAs. Could he redshirt this winter with Van Ness back in the lineup?

–Starocci told reporters Levi Haines is struggling to make 157 and Alex Facundo, who took an Olympic redshirt this year, might not be able to return to the 165-pound he vacated for Mitchell Mesenbrink. It could lead to an upper-weight lineup that sees Mesenbrink go to 157 pounds, Haines to 165, Facundo to 174, Starocci to 197, and Kerkvliet or someone else at heavyweight. That leaves 184 up for grabs, where a battle between sophomore-to-be Josh Barr and others would likely play out.