Carter Starocci
Updated: 12/11/2025, 5:47:00 PM Wikipedia source
Carter Alphonse Starocci (born February 8, 2001) is an American freestyle and former folkstyle wrestler who competes at 184 pounds. In freestyle, he was a U23 World bronze medalist in 2022. In folkstyle, Starocci is the only five-time NCAA Division I National champion in history, and was a three-time Big Ten Conference champion out of the Pennsylvania State University.
Infobox
Full name
Carter Alphonse Starocci
Born
(2001-02-08) February 8, 2001 (age 24)Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height
5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Country
United States
Sport
Wrestling
Weight class
174 lb (79 kg)
Event(s)
Freestyle and Folkstyle
College team
Penn State
Club
Nittany Lion Wrestling Club
Coached by
Cael Sanderson
Tables
· Freestyle record
Res.
Res.
Senior Freestyle Matches
Res.
Senior Freestyle Matches
Record
Senior Freestyle Matches
Opponent
Senior Freestyle Matches
Score
Senior Freestyle Matches
Date
Senior Freestyle Matches
Event
Senior Freestyle Matches
Location
Loss
Loss
Senior Freestyle Matches
Loss
Senior Freestyle Matches
17-9
Senior Freestyle Matches
Nate Jackson
Senior Freestyle Matches
2-7
Senior Freestyle Matches
October 25, 2025
Senior Freestyle Matches
RAF 02
Senior Freestyle Matches
State College, Pennsylvania
2025 US World Team Trials at 86 kg
2025 US World Team Trials at 86 kg
Senior Freestyle Matches
2025 US World Team Trials at 86 kg
Win
Win
Senior Freestyle Matches
Win
Senior Freestyle Matches
17–8
Senior Freestyle Matches
Parker Keckeisen
Senior Freestyle Matches
4–3
Senior Freestyle Matches
June 14, 2025
Senior Freestyle Matches
2025 Final X
Senior Freestyle Matches
Newark, New Jersey
Loss
Loss
Senior Freestyle Matches
Loss
Senior Freestyle Matches
16–8
Senior Freestyle Matches
Kyle Dake
Senior Freestyle Matches
3–3
Senior Freestyle Matches
May 16–17, 2025
Senior Freestyle Matches
2025 US World Team Trials Challenge
Senior Freestyle Matches
Louisville, Kentucky
Win
Win
Senior Freestyle Matches
Win
Senior Freestyle Matches
16–7
Senior Freestyle Matches
Chance Marsteller
Senior Freestyle Matches
4–2
2024 US Olympic Team Trials DNP at 86 kg
2024 US Olympic Team Trials DNP at 86 kg
Senior Freestyle Matches
2024 US Olympic Team Trials DNP at 86 kg
Loss
Loss
Senior Freestyle Matches
Loss
Senior Freestyle Matches
Evan Wick
Senior Freestyle Matches
FF
Senior Freestyle Matches
April 19, 2024
Senior Freestyle Matches
2024 US Olympic Team Trials
Senior Freestyle Matches
State College, Pennsylvania
Loss
Loss
Senior Freestyle Matches
Loss
Senior Freestyle Matches
15–7
Senior Freestyle Matches
Trent Hidlay
Senior Freestyle Matches
4–6
Win
Win
Senior Freestyle Matches
Win
Senior Freestyle Matches
15–6
Senior Freestyle Matches
Pat Downey
Senior Freestyle Matches
12-4
2023 US Open 6th at 79 kg
2023 US Open 6th at 79 kg
Senior Freestyle Matches
2023 US Open 6th at 79 kg
Loss
Loss
Senior Freestyle Matches
Loss
Senior Freestyle Matches
Alex Marinelli
Senior Freestyle Matches
FF
Senior Freestyle Matches
April 27, 2023
Senior Freestyle Matches
2023 US Open National Championships
Senior Freestyle Matches
Las Vegas, Nevada
Loss
Loss
Senior Freestyle Matches
Loss
Senior Freestyle Matches
14–6
Senior Freestyle Matches
Alex Dieringer
Senior Freestyle Matches
1–7
Win
Win
Senior Freestyle Matches
Win
Senior Freestyle Matches
14–5
Senior Freestyle Matches
Michael Kemerer
Senior Freestyle Matches
9–0
Win
Win
Senior Freestyle Matches
Win
Senior Freestyle Matches
13–5
Senior Freestyle Matches
Jay Nivison
Senior Freestyle Matches
TF 10–0
Win
Win
Senior Freestyle Matches
Win
Senior Freestyle Matches
12–5
Senior Freestyle Matches
Sean Houston
Senior Freestyle Matches
TF 10–0
2022 U23 World Championships at 79 kg
2022 U23 World Championships at 79 kg
Senior Freestyle Matches
2022 U23 World Championships at 79 kg
Win
Win
Senior Freestyle Matches
Win
Senior Freestyle Matches
11–5
Senior Freestyle Matches
Valentyn Babii
Senior Freestyle Matches
TF 11–0
Senior Freestyle Matches
October 21–22, 2022
Senior Freestyle Matches
2022 U23 World Championships
Senior Freestyle Matches
Pontevedra, Spain
Loss
Loss
Senior Freestyle Matches
Loss
Senior Freestyle Matches
10–5
Senior Freestyle Matches
Daulet Yergesh
Senior Freestyle Matches
7–8
Win
Win
Senior Freestyle Matches
Win
Senior Freestyle Matches
10–4
Senior Freestyle Matches
Abdulvasi Balta
Senior Freestyle Matches
TF 11–0
Win
Win
Senior Freestyle Matches
Win
Senior Freestyle Matches
9–4
Senior Freestyle Matches
Erik Reinbok
Senior Freestyle Matches
TF 10–0
Win
Win
Senior Freestyle Matches
Win
Senior Freestyle Matches
8–4
Senior Freestyle Matches
Oktay Hasan
Senior Freestyle Matches
TF 11–0
2022 US World Team Trials at 79 kg
2022 US World Team Trials at 79 kg
Senior Freestyle Matches
2022 US World Team Trials at 79 kg
Win
Win
Senior Freestyle Matches
Win
Senior Freestyle Matches
Vincenzo Joseph
Senior Freestyle Matches
FF
Senior Freestyle Matches
June 8, 2022
Senior Freestyle Matches
2022 Final X NYC
Senior Freestyle Matches
New York City
Win
Win
Senior Freestyle Matches
Win
Senior Freestyle Matches
7–4
Senior Freestyle Matches
David McFadden
Senior Freestyle Matches
10–2
Senior Freestyle Matches
May 21–22, 2022
Senior Freestyle Matches
2022 US World Team Trials
Senior Freestyle Matches
Lincoln, Nebraska
Win
Win
Senior Freestyle Matches
Win
Senior Freestyle Matches
6–4
Senior Freestyle Matches
Alex Dieringer
Senior Freestyle Matches
5–1
Win
Win
Senior Freestyle Matches
Win
Senior Freestyle Matches
5–4
Senior Freestyle Matches
Brayden Thompson
Senior Freestyle Matches
10–1
Loss
Loss
Senior Freestyle Matches
Loss
Senior Freestyle Matches
4–4
Senior Freestyle Matches
Chance Marsteller
Senior Freestyle Matches
4–5
2021 US World Team Trials at 79 kg
2021 US World Team Trials at 79 kg
Senior Freestyle Matches
2021 US World Team Trials at 79 kg
Win
Win
Senior Freestyle Matches
Win
Senior Freestyle Matches
4–3
Senior Freestyle Matches
Jason Nolf
Senior Freestyle Matches
4–3
Senior Freestyle Matches
September 11–12, 2021
Senior Freestyle Matches
2021 US World Team Trials
Senior Freestyle Matches
Lincoln, Nebraska
Win
Win
Senior Freestyle Matches
Win
Senior Freestyle Matches
Isaiah Martinez
Senior Freestyle Matches
FF
Win
Win
Senior Freestyle Matches
Win
Senior Freestyle Matches
3–3
Senior Freestyle Matches
Evan Wick
Senior Freestyle Matches
8–4
Win
Win
Senior Freestyle Matches
Win
Senior Freestyle Matches
2–3
Senior Freestyle Matches
Chance Marsteller
Senior Freestyle Matches
4–0
Win
Win
Senior Freestyle Matches
Win
Senior Freestyle Matches
1–3
Senior Freestyle Matches
Branson Ashworth
Senior Freestyle Matches
7–3
Loss
Loss
Senior Freestyle Matches
Loss
Senior Freestyle Matches
0–3
Senior Freestyle Matches
Taylor Lujan
Senior Freestyle Matches
4–6
2020 US Olympic Team Trials DNP at 86 kg
2020 US Olympic Team Trials DNP at 86 kg
Senior Freestyle Matches
2020 US Olympic Team Trials DNP at 86 kg
Loss
Loss
Senior Freestyle Matches
Loss
Senior Freestyle Matches
0–2
Senior Freestyle Matches
Myles Martin
Senior Freestyle Matches
2–5
Senior Freestyle Matches
April 2, 2021
Senior Freestyle Matches
2020 US Olympic Team Trials
Senior Freestyle Matches
Fort Worth, Texas
Loss
Loss
Senior Freestyle Matches
Loss
Senior Freestyle Matches
0–1
Senior Freestyle Matches
Bo Nickal
Senior Freestyle Matches
1–6
| Senior Freestyle Matches | ||||||
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Score | Date | Event | Location |
| Loss | 17-9 | Nate Jackson | 2-7 | October 25, 2025 | RAF 02 | State College, Pennsylvania |
| 2025 US World Team Trials at 86 kg | ||||||
| Win | 17–8 | Parker Keckeisen | 4–3 | June 14, 2025 | 2025 Final X | Newark, New Jersey |
| Loss | 16–8 | Kyle Dake | 3–3 | May 16–17, 2025 | 2025 US World Team Trials Challenge | Louisville, Kentucky |
| Win | 16–7 | Chance Marsteller | 4–2 | |||
| 2024 US Olympic Team Trials DNP at 86 kg | ||||||
| Loss | Evan Wick | FF | April 19, 2024 | 2024 US Olympic Team Trials | State College, Pennsylvania | |
| Loss | 15–7 | Trent Hidlay | 4–6 | |||
| Win | 15–6 | Pat Downey | 12-4 | |||
| 2023 US Open 6th at 79 kg | ||||||
| Loss | Alex Marinelli | FF | April 27, 2023 | 2023 US Open National Championships | Las Vegas, Nevada | |
| Loss | 14–6 | Alex Dieringer | 1–7 | |||
| Win | 14–5 | Michael Kemerer | 9–0 | |||
| Win | 13–5 | Jay Nivison | TF 10–0 | |||
| Win | 12–5 | Sean Houston | TF 10–0 | |||
| 2022 U23 World Championships at 79 kg | ||||||
| Win | 11–5 | Valentyn Babii | TF 11–0 | October 21–22, 2022 | 2022 U23 World Championships | Pontevedra, Spain |
| Loss | 10–5 | Daulet Yergesh | 7–8 | |||
| Win | 10–4 | Abdulvasi Balta | TF 11–0 | |||
| Win | 9–4 | Erik Reinbok | TF 10–0 | |||
| Win | 8–4 | Oktay Hasan | TF 11–0 | |||
| 2022 US World Team Trials at 79 kg | ||||||
| Win | Vincenzo Joseph | FF | June 8, 2022 | 2022 Final X NYC | New York City | |
| Win | 7–4 | David McFadden | 10–2 | May 21–22, 2022 | 2022 US World Team Trials | Lincoln, Nebraska |
| Win | 6–4 | Alex Dieringer | 5–1 | |||
| Win | 5–4 | Brayden Thompson | 10–1 | |||
| Loss | 4–4 | Chance Marsteller | 4–5 | |||
| 2021 US World Team Trials at 79 kg | ||||||
| Win | 4–3 | Jason Nolf | 4–3 | September 11–12, 2021 | 2021 US World Team Trials | Lincoln, Nebraska |
| Win | Isaiah Martinez | FF | ||||
| Win | 3–3 | Evan Wick | 8–4 | |||
| Win | 2–3 | Chance Marsteller | 4–0 | |||
| Win | 1–3 | Branson Ashworth | 7–3 | |||
| Loss | 0–3 | Taylor Lujan | 4–6 | |||
| 2020 US Olympic Team Trials DNP at 86 kg | ||||||
| Loss | 0–2 | Myles Martin | 2–5 | April 2, 2021 | 2020 US Olympic Team Trials | Fort Worth, Texas |
| Loss | 0–1 | Bo Nickal | 1–6 | |||
References
- Penn State Athleticshttps://gopsusports.com/sports/wrestling/roster/carter-starocci/15272
- Penn State Athleticshttps://gopsusports.com/news/2022/10/22/wrestling-nittany-lion-wrestler-carter-starocci-wins-bronze-at-u23-worlds.aspx
- themat.comhttps://www.themat.com/news/2024/march/23/starocci-brooks-become-four-time-ncaa-di-champions-carr-wins-his-second-penn-state-is-team-champ-again
- pennlivehttps://www.pennlive.com/highschoolsports/wrestling/2019/03/carter-starocci.html
- Fra Noihttps://franoi.com/athletic-achievers/wrestler-carter-starocci/
- Erie Cathedral Prep Ramblers Wrestling : Carter Starocci. PA-wrestling.com. Retrieved August 4, 2025.https://www.pa-wrestling.com/hs/teams/eriecathedralprep/athlete_stats.htm?id=112059
- The Daily Collegianhttps://www.psucollegian.com/sports/wrestling/how-a-2-month-isolation-transformed-carter-starocci-s-wrestling-career/article_05e130b6-de3c-11ed-93c5-a720bca75c06.html
- Erie Times-Newshttps://www.goerie.com/story/sports/high-school/wrestling/2017/07/29/mental-toughness-drove-prep-s/18377454007/
- Erie Times-Newshttps://www.goerie.com/story/sports/high-school/wrestling/2018/11/10/prep-state-champ-starocci-commits/8291028007/
- Penn State Athleticshttps://gopsusports.com/news/2020/1/2/wrestling-carter-starocci-champ-at-174-as-three-true-freshmen-shine-at-southern-scuffle.aspx
- Onward Statehttps://onwardstate.com/2021/01/30/no-3-penn-state-wrestling-wins-narrowly-over-indiana-24-15/
- Erie Times-Newshttps://www.goerie.com/story/sports/college/2021/03/06/penn-states-starocci-advances-big-ten-semifinals-saturday-night/4603682001/
- Erie Times-Newshttps://www.goerie.com/story/sports/college/2021/03/20/penn-state-wrestler-upsets-top-ranked-michael-kemerer-174-pounds/4786857001/
- Erie Times-Newshttps://www.goerie.com/story/sports/college/2021/04/01/cathedral-prep-grad-starocci-psu-wrestle-u-s-olympic-trials/7052753002/
- Erie Times-Newshttps://www.goerie.com/story/sports/2021/04/02/wrestling-united-state-olympic-trials-starocci-face-penn-state-3-time-ncaa-champ-nickal/4849698001/
- "Burroughs earns spot on U.S. world team for 8th time in freestyle"https://ctwrestling.com/2021/09/burroughs-earns-spot-on-u-s-world-team-for-8th-time-in-freestyle/4329/
- Erie Times-Newshttps://www.goerie.com/story/sports/college/2022/03/20/penn-state-carter-starocci-repeats-as-ncaa-wrestling-champion-174-pounds-mekhi-lewis-nittany-lions/65345536007/
- Nittany Lion Wrestling Clubhttps://www.nittanylionwrestlingclub.com/news/2022-world-team-trials-challenge-tournament
- Erie Times-Newshttps://www.goerie.com/story/sports/college/2022/06/12/erie-area-on-campus-eries-carter-starocci-to-wrestle-for-us-in-u23-worlds-penn-state/65359814007/
- Penn State Athleticshttps://gopsusports.com/news/2023/3/18/wrestling-starocci-and-brooks-win-individual-titles-for-national-champion-penn-state.aspx
- Sports Illustratedhttps://www.si.com/college/pennstate/wrestling/penn-state-wrestling-ncaa-2023-wrestling-championships-finals
- Penn State Athleticshttps://gopsusports.com/news/2023/4/30/penn-state-wrestling-shines-at-the-2023-us-open.aspx
- Sports Illustratedhttps://www.si.com/college/pennstate/wrestling/ncaa-wrestling-championships-penn-state-carter-starocci-aaron-brooks-cael-sanderson-four-time-ncaa-champs
- pennlivehttps://www.pennlive.com/penn-state-wrestling/2024/03/penn-state-wrestler-carter-starocci-earns-at-large-bid-to-ncaas-nittany-lions-to-host-big-tens-in-2026.html
- CBS Pittsburghhttps://www.cbsnews.com/pittsburgh/news/penn-states-carter-starocci-aaron-brooks-join-exclusive-club-of-4-time-ncaa-wrestling-champs-3/
- themat.comhttps://www.themat.com/news/2024/march/21/ncaa-session-i-notes-10-entries-already-qualified-for-olympic-trials-can-fix-win-on-fifth-try-
- The Daily Itemhttps://www.dailyitem.com/sports/penn-state-s-starocci-speaks-on-his-future-after-olympic-trials/article_f8b192cc-0104-11ef-a80f-8709dc9c0f5f.html
- Big Ten Conferencehttps://bigten.org/wrest/article/blt2a31b77d6cd669d3/
- Sports Illustratedhttps://www.si.com/college/pennstate/wrestling/penn-state-carter-starocci-wins-landmark-5th-title-ncaa-wrestling-championships