For the most part, the latest Penn State wrestling win over Maryland Sunday afternoon in College Park was ho-hum.
Actually, ho-hum might be an understatement.
Penn State won 42-6 and had four pins.
Maryland never had a chance, although to be fair, not many schools do against Cael Sanderson’s empire. But after the meet, arguably the most interesting thing that happened all day at the XFINITY Center Pavilion took place.
Maryland coach Alex Clemsen shook Sanderson’s hand, and in doing so, gave his thoughts on something that’s unclear to the general public. Sanderson said nothing in response, but one of his assistants, Casey Cunningham, did. There were no mics on either coach, so all we know is what we saw on the video.
Penn State wrestling star Carter Starocci, who extended the nation’s longest winning streak to 60 Sunday, is never shy about letting the public know his opinion, and this was no exception.
“Blow bag,” Starocci posted to X (formerly Twitter) not long after the meet ended. “Coach Casey would fold that man like an accordion. I woulda had to come over the top of with a hook though.”
Blow bag . Coach Casey would fold that man like an accordion . I woulda had to come over the top of with a hook though https://t.co/kUhEEDgJOI
— Carter Starocci (@carterstarocci) January 28, 2024
Starocci didn’t just win his match, he dominated, getting a pin over Mason Stein in the second period.
The No. 1 wrestler in the country for the 174-pound weight class, Starocci will be heavily favored to win his fourth national championship at the NCAAs in March. No Penn State wrestler has won four national titles before, and both Starocci and Aaron Brooks have a chance to accomplish that feat this season. Brooks is Penn State’s man in the 197-pound class.
