Penn State wrestling: Projecting the 2023-2024 lineup with Carter Starocci back
Penn State wrestling got a big, if not unexpected, boost this week when three-time All-American and NCAA champ Carter Starocci announced that he would compete one final time for the Nittany Lions in 2023-2024. He, of course, is looking for a four-peat at nationals in the 174-pound weight class.
“I’ll be back for my fourth and final year, my senior year,” Starocci said in a video posted by Penn State Athletics. “It was a hard, long decision. But I just realized that Penn State has given so much to me, and I kind of owe it to Penn State and the whole community. So it’s about bringing another banner back to State College. And, it’s kind of hard to turn this program down when you’re in the best place in the world.
“It’s been a remarkable journey. I was so focused on, I have to get better [in high school]. When I got to Penn State, the whole program was about helping other people and being a good person. When you focus on those things, it helps you overall. I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.”
There was little doubt that Starocci would be back this season. However, he did have the option of taking an Olympic redshirt this winter. That was always unlikely, however. And, now it’s confirmed that he will not.
Projecting the 2023-2024 Penn State wrestling lineup
Starocci is locked in at 174 pounds. But, who wrestles before and after him is still up in the air. Aaron Brooks will go up to 197 pounds while transfer Bernie Truax IV slots in at 184. However, Brooks, by virtue of winning the U23 World Championship at 86 kilograms, could opt to focus solely on trying to dethrone Penn State great David Taylor from that slot on the Olympic team during next April’s U.S. team trials. We doubt that happens. But, it’s possible.
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Beyond that, Penn State could see newcomer Mitchell Mesenbrink or sophomore All-American Levi Haines take an Olympic redshirt. That would, of course, mix up the Lions’ plan at 157 and 165 pounds, respectively. It is assumed that Aaron Nagao, who also transferred in, will be ready to go at 133. But, a reported injury leaves that in doubt ahead of November.
Here is our projected lineup as of Oct. 27. Note that plenty can and will change, and also that what we see next month is likely not what Penn State will roll into the postseason with.
125 pounds: Robbie Howard OR Gary Steen
133 pounds: Aaron Nagao
141 pounds: Beau Bartlett
149 pounds: Shayne Van Ness
157 pounds: Levi Haines OR MItchell Mesenbrink
165 pounds: Alex Facundo OR Mitchell Mesenbrink
174 pounds: Carter Starocci
184 pounds: Bernie Truax IV
197 pounds: Aaron Brooks
285 pounds: Greg Kerkvliet
