“I’m not going to downplay the opportunity. Obviously I’m here doing it, so it obviously means a lot to me,” Carter Starocci said ahead of making history at 184 lbs. Despite being on the cusp of making history, the 24-year-old exhibited a certain stoicism. Meanwhile, the Penn State wrestler’s attempt to become the first five-time NCAA champion at 184 even had athletes from other sports holding their breath.

Take 25-year-old Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons, for example. The football star who played for the Nittany Lions in college watched with rapt attention as the wrestler fought to earn his fifth individual national title. And when Starocci defeated Iowa’s previously unbeaten challenger Parker Keckeisen 4-3 in the final, Parsons took to social media to write a bold statement.

“Congrats to probaly the greatest athlete in Penn State athletics history @carterstarocci!!” the Cowboys’ player proclaimed on X. “Mr. 5-time national champion!! It’s un heard of and never have been done before! Congratulations champ!” he said about Carter Starocci. That is quite a bold statement considering the many Nittany Lions who have gone on to compete in the Olympics.

In fact, Penn State alum-turned- OSU coach David Taylor has even won Olympic gold and multiple World Championship goals. Contrary to Parsons’ immense praise, the 24-year-old himself didn’t think much about the record. “It’s just something that comes along… for the five-time national champ itself, to me it has no meaning,” said the freestyle wrestler, as per Sports Illustrated.

Carter Starocci explained that even if the record wasn’t on the line, and he wasn’t wearing the Penn State jersey, he would still give it his 100%. Winning against the man opposite him on the wrestling mat is all that has ever mattered to the BIG10 champion. Yet, despite his historic run, there’s one milestone the phenom from Erie, Pennsylvania couldn’t reach.

The record that eluded Carter Starocci

The 24-year-old’s victory over Parker Keckeisen made Starocci the first NCAA D1 wrestler to win five championship titles. While the COVID-19 outbreak helped Starocci and many other athletes earn a free year of eligibility, no one could capitalize on it like Starocci did. “With these unique circumstances, having a chance to go after a fifth is pretty cool,” said Starocci coach Cael Sanderson.

“Something that hopefully will never happen again,” the iconic wrestling coach added while speaking on the Penn State Coaches Show. While Carter Starocci did live up to those words, he didn’t finish college as the NCAA wrestler with the most championship titles. That honor still belongs to Carlton Haselrig, who won six titles in just three seasons with Pitt-Johnstown.

However, only three of Haselrig’s NCAA titles were in Division I. The other three were Division II titles. Yet, with that being said, the fact that Starocci couldn’t beat Haselrig’s record barely seemed to bother him. That’s because there was another reason behind the Nittany Lion’s stoicism: Cael Sanderson. The 184 lbs champion sees Sanderson as the greatest of all time.

“So, I could win five titles, six, seven, eight. When you look at coach Cael Sanderson, he’s the guy always. That will always humble you up real quick,” admitted the freestyle wrestling phenom. Yet, what do you think of Carter Starocci’s historic feat? Let us know in the comments.