Tonight could very well be the last dance for Penn State wrestling legend Carter Starocci.
Starocci has an extra year of eligibility left due to COVID-19, but the common thought is that this will be his last season.
After all, he’s done everything there is to do in college wrestling, and tonight, has a chance to win his fourth national championship.
In his way is Ohio State’s Rocco Welsh, who he beat 4-2 in the regular season dual meet at Rec Hall last month.
Whether it’s after tonight or after next season, Penn State wrestling and its fans will miss Starocci’s talent on the mat.
Many will also miss his presence both with the press and on social media.
Starocci is an excellent promoter, and showed that again Saturday afternoon.
“This game is a cut throat business,” Starocci posted to X, formerly Twitter. “So that’s why I came into this game a boss. Bouta get my fourth natty daddy like one too.” I will remain ruthless and piss on this kids graveyard tonight. Remember this is chess, not checkers.”
This game is a cut throat business. So that’s why I came into this game a boss. Bouta get my fourth natty daddy like one too. I will remain ruthless and piss on this kids graveyard tonight. Remember this is chess, not checkers 😉 pic.twitter.com/oAMEplrUhu
— Carter Starocci (@carterstarocci) March 23, 2024
Dealing with a injury he suffered left than a month ago that led to him having to be helped off the Rec Hall mat on Senior Day, Starocci has continued to win. His last two wins are against former national champions in Virginia Tech’s Mehki Lewis and Michigan Shane Griffith, who won a title for Stanford wrestling in 2021.
Starocci isn’t the only Penn State wrestler looking for his fourth national title. Aaron Brooks, who will be out of eligibility after tonight, is going for his fourth at 197. The top-seeded Brooks is taking on NC State’s Trent Hidlay, who’s seeded second.
