Carter Starocci, one of Penn State’s wrestling standouts, is coming back for his fifth and final season with full preparation and enthusiasm. Despite his stellar record and fierce determination, there’s one shadow that can be an obstacle between his wins—Parker Keckeisen. The two are set to face each other at the NWCA All-Star Classic on November 16, 2024, and for Starocci, this clash is not just a rematch.

Starocci has his last chance to stand out, as Keckeisen has already defeated him by 9-6 at the 2018 Fargo Championship. With so much at stake, the question remains—will Starocci overcome his past, or will Keckeisen’s 2018 win still loom large?

Stain on Carter Starocci’s record that won’t fade

Keckeisen’s 2018 victory over Starocci was no less than a bitter pill for Starocci. It was an intense bout, with both wrestlers showcasing their skills and experience. In the first round of the 170 lbs bout, Keckeisen maintained the lead by 3-1, while the second round ended with a 7-5 score in Keckeisen’s favor.

That win over Carter Starocci had a great impact on Keckeisen’s career as it proved that he could easily defeat any strongest opponent. Though it didn’t go well for Starocci back then, the stain on his record will be a huge motivation to perform in the upcoming match.

Starocci’s ability to dominate his other competitors so convincingly puts him one step behind the perfect records of other competitors. Since then, Starocci has won several accolades, including three NCAA titles. Keckeisen’s defeat will remain a stain on his career.

However, both wrestlers have evolved their skills and pushed their abilities. The stain that Carter Starocci has gotten from the past can be a deal-breaker for Keckeisen. The match between them will be the biggest match in NCAA wrestling history.

Starocci’s path to overcoming his past

This season, Carter Starocci isn’t just wrestling to bag a new title, but to redeem. The NWCA All-Star Classic stage will be a perfect place for him to settle the old scores. However, Keckeisen is still a challenge to push Starocci, but he is all set to prove himself. 

Starocci won 64 matches straight, including the national title, by defeating Mekhi Lewis in 2022 and Mikey Labriola in 2023. He was listed as a Hodge Trophy finalist in both seasons. Starocci’s winning streak also continued in seasons 2023-2024; he won over nine out of 12 opponents before suffering a knee injury. He had to end his winning streak by default due to an injury at the Big Ten tournament, as he lost to Brody Baumann and Andrew Sparks. However, Starocci won his second national title with a broken hand.

Starocci performed top-notch under the 174-pound weight category in the last four seasons. Now he will fight in the 184-pound category to beat 2024 NCAA champion, Parker Keckeisen.

With the improved techniques and overall strategy, Starocci is set to defeat Keckeisen and overcome his past. He might be under pressure to redeem his legacy, but his passion to win and determination motivate him. However, Keckeisen is a real threat to Carter; he seems confident in his training. Starocci has to bring his absolute best to defeat Keckeisen. The stakes couldn’t be higher because Starocci’s legacy depends on the NCAA wrestling season in 2024.

Starocci is all geared up to bag the first-ever five-time NCAA champion title in the 2024 season. The question comes here: Will Starocci’s past continue to haunt him, or will he be able to finally overcome his demons? The answer will be revealed soon.