WRESTLER SPOTLIGHT: PENN STATE UNIVERSITY’S CARTER STAROCCI

As found on Penn State University’s website, below is Carter Starocci’s bio. Learn about this wrestler’s career:

Class: Sophomore

Hometown: Erie, PA

Parents: STARLA AND CHRIS STAROCCI

Major: RECREATION, PARK AND TOURISM MGMNT.

Athletic: All-American as a freshman…Named Big Ten Freshman of the Year (2021)…2021 NCAA Champion at 174…2021 Big Ten Runner-Up.

2020-21 / REDSHIRT FRESHMAN SEASON:
Season: Posted 14-2 overall record…Two majors, one tech, one pin…Big Ten Runner-Up (174)…Earned All-America honors as a freshman…2021 NCAA National Champion (174) in first trip to NCAA tournament.
Indiana/Northwestern (1/30): Went 2-1 in opening day tri-dual at Northwestern…Began day with a 18-1 tech fall (2:37) over Indiana’s Robert Detars in the extra bouts at 174, then suffered a close 10-9 upset loss to Donnell Washington in the dual meet…Took down Northwestern’s Troy Fisher 4-1 in dual victory over the Wildcats. Wisconsin (2/2): Posted 5-3 win over Jared Krattiger in Madison. Michigan (2/14): Beat #2 Logan Massa 7-1 (tb), using a four-point turn in the tie-breaker to break away for the win in Ann Arbor…Named Big Ten Wrestler of the Week (2/16)Ohio State (2/19): Used tie-breaker escape then rideout to post thrilling 2-1 (tb) win over #3 Kaleb Romero in dual at Columbus. Michigan (2/14): Majored Maryland’s Phillip Spadafora 15-6 in Rec Hall dual debut.
Big Ten Championships (3-1, 2nd, NCAA Qualifier):  Was Big Ten runner-up at 174, losing to #1 Michael Kemerer in the finals. Beat #6 Kaleb Romero and #2 Mikey Labriola to reach the finals. Went 3-1 with a pin overall. Was named 2021 Big Ten Freshman of the Year.
NCAA Championships (5-0, 1st, National Champion):  Went 5-0 in his first trip to the NCAA tournament to become the NCAA National Champion as a freshman.  Downed the #30 and #14 seeds to reach the quarterfinals. Beat #6 Andrew McNally of Kent State in the quarters and then used a ride-out and escape point to beat #2 Demetrius Romero of Utah Valley 2-0 in the semis to advance to the NCAA finals. Scored midway through extra time to beat #1 Michael Kemerer 3-1 (sv) to win the national title.

2019-20 / REDSHIRT SEASON:
Season: Wrestled unattached in open tournaments during his redshirt season…Went unbeaten during the year…Posted an 18-0 overall record with three pins, two tech falls and six majors…Won the 174-pound Southern Scuffle title.

HIGH SCHOOL / PERSONAL:
Wrestled at Cathedral Prep in Erie…Four-year letterman and four-year team captain…Rolled to a 172-10 record for the Ramblers…Won state title as a senior with a 46-0 mark…Won state title as a junior with a 50-0 mark…Took second at states as a sophomore and placed as a freshman as well…Received academic honors twice…Has two older siblings, brother, Chris and sister, Ceci.

STAROCCI MATCH-BY-MATCH

2020-21
Date      Wt.     Result         Opponent                                           Place Record
1/30      174    W, 18-1       Robert Detars, Indiana (TF; 2:37)        IU extras       1-0
1/30      174    L, 9-10        Donnell Washington, Indiana                    dual       1-1
1/30      174    W, 4-1         Troy Fisher, Northwestern                       dual       2-1
2/2        174    W, 5-3         Jared Krattiger, Wisconsin                       dual       3-1
2/14      174    W, 7-1 (tb)    #2 Logan Massa, Michigan                     dual       4-1
2/19      174    W, 2-1 (tb)    #3 Kaleb Romero, Ohio State                  dual       5-1
2/22      174    W, 15-6       Phillip Spadafora, Maryland (major)           dual       6-1
3/6        174    WBF           Phillip Spadafora, Maryland (4:47)            B1G       7-1
3/6        174    W, 2-0         #6 Kaleb Romero, Ohio State                  B1G       8-1
3/6        174    W, 3-1 (sv)    #2 Mikey Labriola, Nebraska                   B1G       9-1
3/7        174    L, 2-7          #1 Michael Kemerer, Iowa              B1G  (2nd)       9-2
3/18      174    W, 10-2       #30 Victor Marcelli, Virginia (major)         NCAA     10-2
3/18      174    W, 8-2         #14 Hayden Hastings, Wyoming            NCAA     11-2
3/19      174    W, 6-3         #6 Andrew McNally, Kent State             NCAA     12-2
3/19      174    W, 2-0         #2 Demetrius Romero, Utah Valley         NCAA     13-2
3/20      174    W, 3-1 (sv)    #1 Michael Kemerer, Iowa              NCAA (1st)     14-2

COMMENTS DISABLED BY SITE.

YOU MAY, HOWEVER, COMMENT THROUGH FACEBOOK.

Share: