“I don’t care about anything except winning,” is the mantra Carter Starocci has followed since his rise as a high school and then college wrestling standout. Starocci who grew up loving the sport discovered his true potential after a loss in the 2016 PIAA Class AAA Wrestling Championships. Vowing to “never lose again,” Starocci has established himself as one of the best NCAA wrestlers in recent memory.

Under the guidance of Penn State’s Cael Sanderson, Carter Starocci captured four national titles in the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club colors. However, Starocci didn’t become only the sixth wrestler to achieve this feat solely because of his time at Penn State. His parents, Christopher and Starla Starocci, provided unwavering support, playing a pivotal role in shaping the two-time Big Ten champion.

About Carter Starocci’s parents

Carter Starocci is not adopted. Born to parents Christopher and Starla Starocci, the Erie, Pennsylvania native, and is the younger of two children. The 23-year-old followed in elder bother into sports, specifically wrestling, when he was just three. Over the years, while his brother found himself to be a better footballer, Starocci continued wrestling, with his family’s support.

However, the Staroccis have done far more than simply support their son’s athletic endeavor. While discussing self-discipline in 2022, the 23-year-old explained how he practiced accountability toward his craft from childhood. “The hard part is actually doing it and staying disciplined. From a young age, I built a very strong conscience within myself,” Carter Starocci told Fra Noi.

Thankfully, the parents of the U23 World Championship bronze medalist played a key role in helping him develop that discipline. For most of his life, Penn State wrestler Carter Starocci has lived and breathed wrestling, starting his day early and fitting in two practice sessions. His parents also taught him to be self-sufficient outside of the sport, shaping him both as an athlete and an individual.

Born to an Italian-American father, the wrestler learned to cook under his father and grandfather’s guidance. “I was a five-star chef compared to everybody else,” by the time he got to Pennsylvania State, Starocci confessed in 2022. I was also his father, who has had an immense impact on Carter Starocci’s wrestling ambition and beyond.

Christopher Starocci’s impact on his son

While the three-time All-American embarked on a historic NCAA career, you may be surprised to know about his street fighting career. “If guys were running their mouth, I would always fight them. I always grew up around violence,” Starocci revealed in a 2023 article on UFC Fight Pass. However, the wrestler’s father had an unorthodox approach toward his son’s street fighting career.

Knowing his dream of getting into the UFC, Christopher Starocci encouraged his son to become an all-rounder. Christopher Staroci himself acted as an inspiration for the wrestler to become a complete fighter. According to the 2023 article, the 23-year-old grew up seeing his father barely put in any effort before “walking away from altercations unscathed.”

However, Chris Starocci also understood that street fighting was not the way forward. “In order to be the best wrestler, you have to be the best wrestler.” the wrestler’s father told him even before high school. Those words stayed with Carter Starocci, who understood that he needed to master wrestling before thinking about moving on to mixed martial arts.

Chris’ words combined with his eighth-place finish at the PIAA Class AAA Wrestling Championships elevated the wrestler to new heights. Starocci put an end to street fighting and turned to perfecting his craft. Even today, the champion relentlessly pursues improvement. “The more you win, the more you should work harder.” Starocci wrote about the upcoming competitive wrestling season, on X. And while Starocci becoming a five-time champion is up for debate, the wrestler will once again find his family beside him.