Philadelphia, PA – Carter Starocci made history Saturday night, becoming the first-ever five-time NCAA wrestling champion in Division I history. The Penn State wrestler’s unprecedented achievement was made possible by the COVID waiver, which granted athletes an extra year of eligibility, and it solidified Starocci’s legacy as one of the most decorated wrestlers in NCAA history.
Starocci triumphed in the 184-pound final, edging Northern Iowa’s Parker Keckeisen 4-3 to cap off a flawless career at the NCAA Wrestling Championships, finishing with a 25-0 record. His victory not only secured his fifth title but also contributed to Penn State’s dominant performance, helping them break their own scoring record for the second year in a row.
The Nittany Lions, who had already clinched the team title, posted a staggering total of points, surpassing the 172.5 points they recorded last year in Kansas City. The team featured an entire roster of 10 All-Americans, with none finishing lower than sixth place. Starocci, along with teammates Mitchell Mesenbrink (165) and Josh Barr (194), competed for individual titles after Penn State’s fourth consecutive team championship had been secured during Saturday morning’s consolation rounds.
Despite the historical significance of the moment, Starocci downplayed the personal meaning of his achievement. “It’s just something that comes along,” he said. “I’m not going to downplay the opportunity. Obviously, it means a lot to me, but for the five-time national champ title itself, it has no meaning. You can take away everything—Penn State, the championship logo, the media—and just put whoever is in front of me, and I’m ready to go. That’s why I do it.”
Starocci, from Erie, Pennsylvania, was known for his poise in high-pressure situations. His career record stands at 104-4, with two losses occurring by injury default at the 2024 Big Ten Championships. After the 2021 Big Ten finals, Starocci went undefeated, never losing a bout at the NCAA Championships. His 2024 victory came despite wrestling on a leg injured late in the regular season.
While Starocci’s five NCAA titles are unprecedented in Division I wrestling, the record for the most NCAA titles still belongs to the late Carlton Haselrig, who won six championships across three seasons while wrestling for Pitt-Johnstown. Haselrig also achieved success in NCAA Divisions I and II before the rules changed to prevent Division II wrestlers from competing in the Division I tournament. Haselrig later played offensive line for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and his remarkable wrestling legacy remains unmatched.
Despite his historic achievement, Starocci humbly shifted the conversation to his coach, Cael Sanderson, widely regarded as one of the greatest wrestlers of all time. Sanderson, who finished his college career at Iowa State with a perfect 159-0 record and won four NCAA titles, continues to inspire his athletes.
“We have the greatest wrestler to ever walk the earth as our head coach,” Starocci said. “So whether I win five, six, or seven titles, coach Cael Sanderson is always the guy. That will always humble you quickly.”
