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Carter Starocci on winning 5th NCAA Wrestling title: 'Just preparation for the next thing'

IMG_6598by: Nick Kosko03/23/25nickkosko59
USATSI_25743409 (1)
Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Carter Starocci, who downplayed wrestling for a fifth national title, kept to the status quo during the historic moment. The Penn State Nittany Lion 184 pounder will go down as the only five-time NCAA champion in Division 1 history.

Starocci beat Northern Iowa’s Parker Keckeisen 4-3 in a battle of NCAA champions. Keckeisen won last year and ended his career as a three-time finalist.

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But it’s onto the next thing as Starocci described it. That’s what head coach Cael Sanderson instilled in his wrestlers, particularly his five-time champ.

“It means a lot to me, but as for me, I never want to down play the moment, but I mean it’s always cool but one thing that Coach Cael really instills in us this is all just preparation for the next thing, you know what I mean,” Starocci said Saturday night. “In God’s eyes, I don’t think he looks at anyone different if you’re national champ or not.

“I feel he kind of goes off your character and who you are as a person. All this is just preparation for that. I mean, it’s important because obviously I’m here doing it and I love to do it. But I think it ends at that. I don’t think it’s anything more or anything less.”

As far as what’s next for Starocci, he’ll continue to wrestle. Staying home at the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club, Starocci is gunning for the 2028 Olympics.

“I think just a guy that always led by example, always showed up, no matter the day, if you’re hurt, injured, sad, no matter what, always putting your best foot forward,” Starocci said of what he wants his legacy to be. “That’s something I want the younger guys on the team to keep pushing for more and more and more and just keep that Penn State dynasty going.

“I’m not sure how much longer these coaches got, but I know Coach Cael pretty well. If there’s some kind of coaching record or record out there, you guys figure it out. I’m sure when he breaks that, he’ll be done.”