How is Penn State wrestling star Carter Starocci doing? Cael Sanderson has an update
The status of Penn State wrestling star Carter Starocci is easily the biggest question hanging over the wrestling world ahead of the start of conference tournament action next weekend across the country. The three-time All-American and national champion at 174 pounds hurt his right knee at the end of his match in last Sunday’s Senior Day win over Edinboro. He required help off the mat. Nittany Lions coach Cael Sanderson said afterward that the senior from Erie is a “quick healer” and that they were working to “figure out what’s going on.” During an appearance on the Penn State Coaches Show Thursday night, the longtime and legendary leader of the Lions offered the latest update ahead of the Big Ten tournament, which is March 9-10 in College Park, Md.
“He has little extra time, and then another week between the Big Tens and the Nationals,” Sanderson said. “So, he has some time to get healthy. But he’s doing pretty well. I’d say he’s doing better than we feared right away. And, he’s in really good hands with with our trainer, Dan Monthley. So, like I’ve said, we’re very optimistic. Carter is just a tough kid. He’s had adversity in every season. Injuries have been a big part of his career, unfortunately, even in high school. He was a little under the radar, even then, because he wasn’t, like, dominating on the scoreboard. But, a lot of times, he was he was also injured. So, he’s a tough kid. He’s dealt with some adversity in the past. So, if anybody can do it, he can.”
Looking ahead to Big Tens
Whether or not Starocci will be fully able to compete at Big Tens is obviously up in the air. But, he does not need to be to qualify for the NCAA Tournament. Instead, he would simply need to step onto the mat in the quarterfinals and forfeit after the match begins and then do the same thing in his first consolation bracket match to be eligible for one of the NCAA’s at-large bids, which he’d absolutely qualify for. Following that path would impact his seed, as he would no longer be No. 1 as has been long anticipated. But, many suspect he’d end up in the Nos. 3-6 range, which would be plenty manageable if the Penn State wrestler is healthy while pursuing his fourth straight NCAA title. All told, the jury is still out on whether or not that will be the case. But, we’ll learn more when Sanderson chats with reporters again early next week ahead of his team’s latest trip to the Big Ten tournament.
