Penn State wrestling star Carter Starocci made history yesterday (Sat., March 22, 2025), achieving what no one has done before—and may never do again—by winning his fifth NCAA national title inside Wells Fargo Arena in Philadelphia, PA.
Having already secured four NCAA titles at 174 lbs, Starocci moved up to 184 pounds for his final season.
Watch highlights below:
Wondering why he had a fifth year? The NCAA granted an eligibility waiver due to the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, which Starocci used to cap his Penn State career with a fifth title at the new weight class.
Despite the triumph, Starocci was furious about wrestling the first match of the night and vented to reporters afterward.
“I was the first match up. I’m not sure why ESPN elected for the 184-pound match to be the first one,” Starocci said. “You’ve got a guy going for his fifth title, and you have the reigning champ [Parker Keckeisen of Northern Iowa]. I think whoever wins that match is the Hodge Trophy winner.”
“We’ve been dominant all year, and you put that match first? ESPN, whatever, just makes me laugh and giggle because of some rules that wrestling has in place—things like that—it’s no surprise why wrestling isn’t mainstream. I think you have to look yourselves in the mirror and ask yourselves questions.”
Fellow Penn State alumnus and UFC Middleweight Bo Nickal saw Starocci’s leadoff spot as ideal.
“Here’s an idea for running an event… start the night with your most exciting, most anticipated match! Then build to your least competitive match at the end. The UFC and other sporting events do it wrong. Have your best match of the event on the prelims! Smart,” Nickal wrote on social media.
Here’s an idea for running an event… start the night with your most exciting, most anticipated match! Then build to your least competitive match at the end. The ufc and other sporting events do it wrong. Have your best match of the event on the prelims! Smart.
— Bo Nickal (@NoBickal) March 22, 2025
Unfortunately for Nickal, his opinion aged like milk because Gable Steveson suffered the biggest upset in wrestling history during the final match of the evening (watch highlights).
With his legendary college career now complete, Starocci has repeatedly hinted at a shift to mixed martial arts (MMA). The wait begins.
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