It’s called the NWCA All-Star Classic for a reason, and Penn State wrestling has some big-time matchups scheduled for the Nov. 16 event in Rec Hall.
At 174, defending 157-pound national champ Levi Haines is taking on Ohio State’s Rocco Welsh, who was the runner up at ‘74 last season.
At 149, Shayne Van Ness— who finished fourth in 2023 before missing last season due to injury- is taking on West Virginia’s Ty Watters, who finished fourth last year.
Now, perhaps the biggest matchup at all is set for 184: Carter Starocci vs. Parker Keckeisen.
It's official! This past season's 174lb and 184lb NCAA Champions, Carter Starocci and Parker Keckeisen, will square off at the NWCA All-Star Classic on November 16th in Rec Hall. pic.twitter.com/2eznkB9OYj
— Justin Basch (@JustinJBasch) October 1, 2024
Although it’s an exhibition, this is about as big of an individual matchup as it one could find in college wrestling today. Starocci is one of the most decorated folkstyle performers ever, being one of seven wrestlers to win four national titles and looking to become the first to win five.
Keckeisen “only” has one national title but has finished no worse than third in each of his first four seasons.
The reason Keckeisen isn’t a multi-time champ is simple: Aaron Brooks.
Brooks, who, like Starocci, because a four-time title winner on a glorious night in Kansas City this past March, beat Keckeisen in the semifinals in 2021 and the finals in 2023. After Brooks moved to 197 for his last year of eligibility, Keckeisen was the man to beat at 184, and nobody beat him.
It seems like Starocci, who won his four national titles at 174, is now wrestling at 184.
InterMat has Penn State wrestling legend Starocci ranked No. 1 and Keckeisen No. 2, so this really is the best against the best. It could well be a matchup we see again in March, when the NCAA Championships come to Philadelphia.
