Carter Starocci is a distinguished American wrestler who recently made history by becoming the first five-time NCAA Division I National Champion. Competing for the Penn State Nittany Lions, Starocci secured his fifth title on March 22, 2025, with a 4-3 victory over Northern Iowa’s Parker Keckeisen.
Early Life and Education
Hailing from Erie, Pennsylvania, Starocci attended Cathedral Preparatory School, where he achieved significant success, including multiple state championships.
He began wrestling at the age of three and amassed a high school record of 172–10, establishing himself as one of the nation’s top recruits. He committed to Penn State University, where he continued to excel in collegiate wrestling.
Collegiate Wrestling Career
- 2019–2020: Starocci redshirted his freshman year, competing unattached and achieving a perfect 19–0 record.
- 2020–2021: As a freshman, he secured the NCAA Division I National Championship at 174 pounds, defeating Iowa’s Michael Kemerer in the finals.
- 2021–2022: He repeated his national success, becoming a two-time NCAA champion and earning the Big Ten Conference title.
- 2022–2023: Starocci clinched his third NCAA title and another Big Ten championship, finishing the season undefeated.
- 2023–2024: Despite a mid-season knee injury, he persevered to win his fourth NCAA title, joining an exclusive group of four-time champions.
- 2024–2025: Utilizing an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Starocci clinched his fifth NCAA title, solidifying his legacy as a wrestling legend.
Legacy
Starocci’s unprecedented five NCAA titles underscore his exceptional talent and resilience, setting a new benchmark in collegiate wrestling.