Whether Pat Downey should be believed when he says there arenโt a lot of people he doesnโt like is up for debate, but what isnโt is that he doesnโt like Penn State wrestling legend Carter Starocci.
When Downey lost to Starocci at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials in Happy Valley, he said he would have dominated the match โif I had been fresh.โ
More than a year later, when allegations of misconduct were made against Starocci, Downey took to social media, writing lengthy posts to Twitter and Instagram.
Former National Champ Blasts Carter Starocci Amid Accusations
Although the two arenโt facing off at Real American Freestyle 2 Saturday night in Happy Valley, Fridayโs media day gave the two an opportunity to talk about each other.
WHAT DOWNEY SAID THIS TIME
โHeโs one of the guys I donโt like,โ Downey said. โThereโs not many people I donโt like. But heโs just one of them guys. I have a little sisters, and I donโt like people that do stuff to underage women. I donโt know if thatโs a fact or not.โ
For context, sexual assault of underaged women were among the allegations levied against Starocci.
โI donโt like safe sport violators,โ Downey said โAnd I donโt like these guys that are virtue signaling and judge me because I so happen to sin a little differently. So Iโm not really a fan of him, but Iโm excited to watch Nick Jackson put it on him.โ
Nick Jackson is Starocciโs opponent.
Before being asked directly about Starocci, Downey referred to Penn State as โPenetration State.โ
โI donโt give a damn how Penetration State feels,โ Downey said.
In fairness, Downey went onto compliment Penn Stateโs program, reiterating the comments made at the 2024 Olympic Trials, which he referred to as โThe Penn State trials.โ
STAROCCIโS RESPONSE
Both Downey and Starocci confirmed that neither one of them will be talking to each other this weekend.
Downey openly wondered if RAF was keeping them apart on purpose.
But itโs clear that each one wants the other to lose.
โIโll see him get his butt whopped,โ Starocci told NSN exclusively after the press conference.
Starocci had no comment on any of the allegations or anything thatโs been written about him.
โThatโs something Patโs gonna say,โ Starocci said. โThatโs a Pat Downey answer. I think more so a reflection of who he is and what heโs done and where heโs going. So thatโs a question for him.โ
As if Starocci needed any added incentive to root against Downey, Downeyโs opponent, Jake Varner, is Nittany Lion Wrestling Clubโs head coach.
