For those passionate about wrestling, the buzz surrounding the recent NCAA Championships is likely still fresh in your memory. Indeed, the entire college wrestling season was so remarkable that fans anticipated the title fight more than ever! Nonetheless, only a handful of wrestlers managed to capture widespread attention, with Penn State’s Carter Starocci standing out among them. He was indeed pursuing his fifth NCAA title, a feat that has never been accomplished before. So, did he succeed in his endeavor?

Certainly! Starocci faced off against the defending champion from Northern Iowa, Parker Keckeisen. The match proved to be a challenging affair, showcasing remarkable skill and unwavering determination, as Starocci narrowly defeated Keckeisen with a score of 4-3. With this victory, the Penn State wrestler has firmly established his position in the annals of NCAA wrestling history. This accomplishment was facilitated by an eligibility waiver provided in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which granted Starocci an extra year to compete.

Yet, Carter Starocci’s accomplishments extended far beyond his NCAA title, especially with President Donald Trump in attendance at the arena. While the President took the spotlight following the Penn State wrestler’s victory, he shared a surprising reaction upon meeting Trump.

“Yeah, I just told him I was like, ‘hey, I hope you enjoyed the show.’ He was like, ‘I did. You’re one of my favorite wrestlers to watch in the world. I love your tenacity. I love your interviews.’ And then I told him I appreciated his persona as well. And then I told him the story, too. I was like, ‘hey, when I was warming up, they kind of made it a little hard for me because you’re the big dog.’ And he laughed and then he gave me like a nice coin to recognize me,” Starocci stated during a National TV appearance, as showcased on Benny Johnson’s X profile.

The expansion of college wrestling is evident, particularly with the notable involvement of President Trump. Starocci recognized the President’s status as the distinguished guest at the NCAA finals and acknowledged his presence with poise. Additionally, the Penn State wrestler disclosed that Trump has been keeping an eye on college wrestling, and it appears that Starocci is among his preferred athletes.

During the conversation with the President, Starocci expressed his nerves during the practice session, noting the presence of someone as significant as the POTUS in the arena. Their interaction exemplifies excellence, highlighting the significant progress Starocci has made in his wrestling journey as he aims for even greater achievements ahead.

Carter Starocci clears the air on speculations for his future

Starocci has secured five NCAA championships. What lies ahead for him? This is a question that numerous individuals posed ahead of the NCAA Championships. In response to the inquiry, the Penn State wrestler remarked, “Um, I mean, it’s not going to be my final tournament. I mean, I’m always going to compete in it until the day I die, so for me, it’s not necessarily that this is my last time because it’s really not.”

Wrestling is deeply ingrained in his identity, and Carter Starocci is committed to remaining in the competitive arena. He is already looking at the next levels of wrestling, even though he will undoubtedly not be able to participate in college wrestling.

Additionally, Starocci highlighted a key piece of guidance from his coach, Cael Sanderson, stating, “I mean, all this stuff is just practice for it. It’s always the next time, you know, and that’s something that coach Cael really preaches heavily to us. It’s not about wrestling our opponents now; it’s about wrestling them for the next time and making sure that they never want to wrestle you again. So if you keep that mindset going, it’ll help you out in life too.”

During his five seasons under Sanderson, Carter Starocci has achieved success in each and every one. Throughout his coaching career, the Penn State coach has produced successful wrestlers, and Starocci stands out among them. The mindset that Sanderson has instilled in his wrestlers is one they will carry with them throughout their lives, regardless of whether they remain in the program. For Starocci, only time will reveal his future destination, and someone of his talent will undoubtedly be keeping an eye on upcoming international events.