Carter Starocci’s journey from Erie, Pennsylvania, to the pinnacle of NCAA wrestling is a story of grit, relentless work ethic, and unwavering self-belief. Inside the Cathedral Prep wrestling room, a photo of Starocci hangs proudly—a visual reminder of a local athlete who would go on to make national history. While several Penn State wrestlers have claimed NCAA titles, none have done what Starocci achieved on March 22, 2025: winning his fifth NCAA Division I championship, a feat never accomplished before.
Starocci’s legendary run culminated at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, where he edged out Northern Iowa’s Parker Keckeisen in a tense 4-3 decision. The victory not only crowned him the 184-pound champion but also etched his name in the sport’s history books as its first five-time NCAA champ. Yet before all this glory at Penn State, Carter was just a driven kid from Erie—first making a name in the Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling (PJW) circuit, then dominating at Cathedral Prep, and ultimately rising through the ranks of collegiate wrestling’s most elite program.
Those close to Starocci describe him with three core traits: unmatched work ethic, supreme confidence, and an insatiable will to win. Even Olympic gold medalist and former NCAA champion Gable Steveson recognized Starocci’s determination, predicting his fifth title days before it happened. “When he wins Saturday night,” Steveson said, “he’s going to blow the world up.” Sitting just a few feet away, Starocci nodded calmly, undeterred by the challenge of facing an unbeaten champion like Keckeisen.
Carter’s competitive mindset dates back to his childhood. His father, Chris Sr., introduced wrestling to Carter and his older brother primarily as a form of self-defense and discipline. While Carter initially excelled in football and even played travel baseball with the Erie Outlaws, the family ultimately prioritized wrestling. When the time came to cut back on sports, Carter wanted to drop wrestling. His father vetoed that decision. So baseball was dropped instead, and Carter doubled down on wrestling.
By the age of six, Carter had already qualified for the PJW state tournament. Throughout elementary and junior high, he racked up titles, earning recognition across Pennsylvania. By the time he joined Cathedral Prep, he had already established himself as a prodigy. As a freshman, he placed eighth in the PIAA Class 3A at 132 pounds. He didn’t let that result define him—instead, he improved his neutral wrestling and came back stronger. As a sophomore, he lost just three matches, including one to Shane Griffith, whom he would later defeat during the 2024 NCAA semifinals.
Through high school, Carter never stopped seeking ways to grow. In the offseason, he trained at the Bad Karma Wrestling Club and competed in freestyle and Greco-Roman events, capturing national titles. “He believed every day in the practice room was an opportunity to get better,” said longtime coach Skip Chatt. His father put it more bluntly: if a best friend was getting married on the same day as a wrestling obligation, Carter would skip the wedding. That’s how committed he was.
College coaches began taking notice. During Carter’s junior year, Penn State coach Cael Sanderson visited Cathedral Prep to watch him practice. The interest was mutual. After a workout, the Staroccis and Sanderson shared dinner. When Sanderson offered food, Carter declined—it was not part of his strict training diet. The discipline impressed the coach. Later that evening, Sanderson visited the home of Ian Malesiewski, a paralyzed former Prep wrestler and close friend of Carter’s. Ian told Sanderson that whether Penn State offered Carter a scholarship or not, he was going to beat everyone else—and Sanderson would regret letting him go.
That moment sealed the deal. Carter committed to Penn State and became a key figure in what many consider the most dominant dynasty in college wrestling history.
But for all his public bravado—like proclaiming on X (formerly Twitter) that records “always come after me”—those close to Carter insist it’s more confidence than arrogance. “He’s a totally different guy behind closed doors,” said Cathedral Prep coach Mike Hahsey. “That fire comes from wanting to win, not wanting to show off.”
That fire powered him to a 118-4 career record in college. After a narrow loss in his first collegiate match as a redshirt freshman, Carter never lost again in the NCAA tournament. His wins included technical falls, major decisions, and narrow escapes. Even his setbacks, such as two medical forfeits at the 2024 Big Ten Championships, only sharpened his resolve.
What made Carter different, his coaches say, was not just talent but an almost obsessive dedication to excellence. He never missed a chance to train, even when it meant sacrifices others wouldn’t consider. “He’s just a regular guy,” said Chatt. “But he works harder than anyone else.”
As he steps into the next chapter, Carter’s future is filled with possibilities. Though his NCAA eligibility has ended, he’s hinted at pursuing mixed martial arts and has time to prepare for a potential run at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Whatever he chooses, the consensus is clear: standing between Starocci and his next goal is a losing proposition.
The kid from Erie who once wrestled in a youth club called the Vipers never forgot his roots. He credits his hometown for instilling in him the toughness and discipline that still define his approach today. As he put it before his final NCAA tournament, “My roots always play a big part. A lot of my early training was hard and tough—and that’s still what I bring to the table.”
Carter Starocci’s story is not just one of athletic excellence, but of unshakable belief, sacrifice, and homegrown determination. As Ian Malesiewski summed up: “If it’s close, and it comes down to a year of hard work—him versus you—forgive yourself in advance. You’re going to lose.”
