Penn State Wrestling: Carter Starocci Returns

One of the biggest questions surrounding the Penn State Wrestling Team heading into the 2023-2024 has finally been answered.

Following his pin of Nebraska’s Mikey Labriola in the 2023 NCAA Championships, Carter Starocci gave an interview for the ages.

And for good reason. The all-everything standout at 174 pounds had just secured his third NCAA title in three seasons and he was on top of the wrestling world. And with the Olympic trials looming and the enticing offers that undoubtedly were flooding in from the world of MMA, it looked like Starocci might ride out into the sunset of collegiate wrestling. That is until his interview with Jeff Byers was just released earlier today by GoPSUSports.

📢Carter Starocci has an announcement to make!
👀 Watch and learn 😀
🔥 #PSUwr 🦁https://t.co/zXdRayoES1

— Penn State WRESTLING (@pennstateWREST) October 26, 2023

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Carter Starocci Return Elevates Sky-High Penn State Wrestling Expectations

Starocci confirms he is coming back. That coupled with the weight certifications yesterday from Carter and Aaron Brooks confirms they will not be taking an Olympic Redshirt. The only thing from Carter’s interview that struck me was the wording of his response: “Yes, I’ll be back for my fourth and final year, my senior year.”

If Starocci is able to become the first Nittany Lions grappler in program history to secure his fourth NCAA title, will he come back to try and become the first wrestler in NCAA history to get five? Due to the COVID-year he would still have one year left. But I guess we’ll leave that question for next off season.

MORE: Way Too Early Big Ten Wrestling Power Rankings

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Chris Snyder

Penn State Wrestling Beat Reporter at NittanyCentral

Expertise: College Wrestling, College Football, Lays Chips
Education: Penn State University
Location: State College, PA

Even though he had no prior journalism experience, Chris has now covered Penn State Wrestling and Penn State Football for the past three years, including as the Penn State Wrestling Beat Writer for VictoryBellRings.com, part of the FanSided network.

And it's clear he also likes constant torture as he's been a PSU Basketball fan for way too long.

Several years back, Chris made the seamless transition from PGA Professional to computer programmer and thoroughly enjoys following and writing about all things related to Penn State sports during his spare time.

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