“I want to end my collegiate career on my terms. Healthy, in style and in a dominant fashion,” wrote Carter Starocci in May last year as he announced that he would be returning to his fifth NCAA season to take a shot at becoming the first ever to win five NCAA titles.

Cut to the Big 10 Championships ahead of the 2024-25 NCAA Championships, Starocci looks all set to achieve that.

The Penn State wrestler dominated the tournament, and you guessed it correctly. He triumphed over all his opponents on the mat. Initially, he confronted Indiana’s Donnell Washington, securing a decisive victory with a score of 18 – 1 in just 4:54. Another victory was secured when Maryland’s Jaxon Smith made his entrance, resulting in a score of 12 – 2. However, tensions escalated when he encountered Minnesota’s Max McEnelly.

The match unfolded as a thrilling contest between the two wrestlers, ultimately tipping in favor of Starocci, who clinched victory and secured his third Big 10 Championships title. When asked about the difficulty of the final match, Penn State wrestler Carter Starocci responded, “I mean, in my eyes, it’s a one-horse race. I mean, it’s always me, you know? I mean, however, you want to draw it up, a pin, a tech fall, or a close match, overtime, however, you want to draw it up, I mean, it’s me every time.”

That’s a remark that could only originate from an individual like Starocci. The Penn State wrestler showcases an aggressive approach in the ring, a fact clearly reflected in his impressive record of 21-0 this season. Starocci remains unfazed by the opinions others express regarding his matches. For him, being at the pinnacle of the standings is a given, and his four NCAA titles certainly lend credibility to his assertions. And now with his eyes set on a historic fifth, he is sure of what sets him apart from the rest.

“As some guys look at it, it’s just a sport, and come here to go to school, get a degree, and things like that. But for me, it’s much more than that. It’s almost sold out there. It’s my 24 hours versus your 24 hours. It’s my coaching staff versus yours. It’s my training partners versus yours. It’s my dad versus your dad. And that’s kind of how I look at it,” Starocci remarked.

It’s straightforward. He steps onto the mat with a determination to demonstrate his capabilities, and each time he competes, it’s a step toward securing his future in the sport. With Starocci stepping away from college wrestling, the question arises: who will ascend to fill his position of prominence?

The potential successor to Carter Starocci

Would it astonish you if I claimed that the successor of Carter Starocci is not located at Penn State, but rather in Iowa? Certainly, I am referring to Angelo Ferrari. It’s widely acknowledged that with Starocci’s departure, the 184 lbs title will require a new champion, and it could very well be AJ Ferrari’s brother stepping into that role. What’s the reason for that? Let’s examine the data.

The Iowa Hawkeyes wrestler boasts an impressive record of 10 – 1 this season. Was that his sole loss? Who could it possibly have been? Carter Starocci. The 4-time NCAA champion emerged victorious over Angelo in their matchup at the Iowa – Penn State Dual on January 31. In a recent showdown, Angelo faced off against Dustin Plott from Oklahoma State University, and the Hawkeyes wrestler emerged victorious after a challenging battle. What did he say?

“Going against my brother’s old team and the biggest rivalry in college wrestling, it was the best moment of my wrestling career so far, probably,” Ferrari stated. Angelo felt a sense of satisfaction as he prepared to face off against the team that his brother AJ once competed with. He recognized the competitive spirit that exists between the two programs in the NCAA and expressed his satisfaction in being part of this team. The excitement is palpable, as he prepares to vie for the 184 lbs title next year.