Carter Starocci Blasts ESPN for Controversial Match Timing in NCAA Wrestling Finals
STATE COLLEGE, PA – Carter Starocci, one of the most dominant forces in collegiate wrestling history, didn’t hold back following his historic fifth NCAA title. What should’ve been a night of pure celebration was instead clouded by frustration, as the Penn State standout expressed anger toward ESPN and the NCAA over their handling of the championship finals.
The controversy stemmed from ESPN’s decision to open the event with the most anticipated matchup of the night — Starocci’s 184-pound clash against Northern Iowa’s Parker Keckeisen. With a fifth NCAA title on the line and two of the sport’s top competitors facing off, many believed the bout was tailor-made to headline the championship event.
But instead of closing out the night, the high-stakes showdown kicked off the broadcast. And that didn’t sit well with Starocci or several prominent voices in the wrestling community.
“I Just Laugh and Giggle…”
Starocci, never one to shy away from speaking his mind, unleashed his disappointment in his post-match interview.
“I don’t know why they made the decision to start with the 184-pound match,” he said. “You’ve got a guy chasing a fifth national title, going up against the defending champ. That’s a historic matchup, and you open with it? Makes no sense.”
The Penn State star took direct aim at both the broadcast partner (ESPN) and the governing body (NCAA), suggesting that such decisions show exactly why wrestling continues to struggle in mainstream popularity.
“We’ve dominated all year. Then you throw our match up first for some reason, ESPN or whoever’s call that was,” he added. “I just laugh and giggle. With the way wrestling handles things like this… it’s no wonder it hasn’t gone mainstream.”
A Bizarre Decision?
The NCAA Division I Wrestling Championship Finals were expected to follow the traditional structure — building anticipation through the evening, leading to a climactic final match. So when Starocci’s bout opened the night, fans and insiders were left scratching their heads.
Many saw the decision as a failure to properly honor one of the most significant achievements in collegiate wrestling history — a fifth NCAA championship, something only a handful of wrestlers have ever accomplished. It should’ve been the moment the entire arena waited for. Instead, it came and went in the opening segment.
Even Penn State legend Bo Nickal chimed in, sarcastically comparing it to amateur mistakes in other sports.
“The UFC and other sporting events do it wrong. Put your best match on the prelims — genius,” Nickal joked on social media.
Was It Really a Mistake?
While the backlash was swift and loud, not everyone believed ESPN had mishandled the situation.
Olympic gold medalist and Nebraska icon Jordan Burroughs defended the decision, offering a counterpoint that painted the broadcast strategy in a more thoughtful light.
According to Burroughs, opening the show with Starocci’s bout gave ESPN more time to frame the story, highlight the significance of the moment, and build proper anticipation for viewers at home.
“If you watched the broadcast from the beginning, the intro was long. We talked about the city, the magnitude of the championship, and set the tone,” Burroughs said. “That gave us the space to really dig into how historic Carter’s fifth title pursuit was.”
Burroughs argued that if the match had been placed later in the night, time constraints would’ve limited the ability to cover it thoroughly. The transition between matches is typically fast, and ESPN’s crew would have had only 45 seconds to touch on Starocci’s legacy.
“That short window wouldn’t have done justice to the moment,” Burroughs explained. “This way, people actually got to understand the gravity of what he was chasing.”
Two Sides to the Story
The debate surrounding ESPN’s timing decision reveals a fundamental question about how sports moments are framed and remembered. Should the most high-profile bout always end the show? Or is there value in opening strong and allowing the story to breathe?
From a fan’s perspective, many felt robbed of the emotional climax that Starocci’s win should’ve delivered. Instead, the evening closed with a heavyweight match that, while competitive, didn’t carry the same historical weight.
Yet from a broadcasting standpoint, Burroughs’ defense makes sense. Starting with a bang may have allowed ESPN to properly showcase the stakes and give the moment room to resonate. After all, storytelling in sports is often as much about pacing and production as it is about what happens on the field — or in this case, on the mat.
Wrestling’s Mainstream Struggles Continue
Starocci’s criticism touches on a larger concern that’s long plagued wrestling: its ongoing battle to break into the mainstream. For a sport that consistently delivers drama, passion, and elite athleticism, wrestling still lags behind in national exposure.
Moments like Starocci’s fifth title run are rare opportunities for the sport to shine. When mishandled — whether through awkward scheduling or limited promotion — the impact can be blunted.
“If you want wrestling to grow, you’ve got to respect the biggest matches,” one fan posted on X. “Carter’s win should’ve been front and center, not buried at the beginning.”
A Moment That Still Mattered
Despite the controversy, Starocci’s win will go down as one of the most impressive feats in NCAA wrestling history. His fifth championship cements his place alongside legends like Kyle Dake and Logan Stieber.
It’s a legacy built on grit, dominance, and now — a fair bit of frustration.
“This isn’t about me being mad I didn’t close the show,” Starocci said. “It’s about understanding what that match meant to wrestling fans, to the sport. And making sure it got the moment it deserved.”
Even if the timing wasn’t what he or fans wanted, there’s no denying that Carter Starocci’s name — and this match — won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
