Carter Starocci of Penn State has been named 2025 NCAA Division I Wrestler of the Year by the Open Mat. Starocci became the first wrestler ever to win five NCAA Division I national titles. He finished the season with a 26-0 record, which included 22 bonus-point victories.
It means a lot to me, but as for me, I never want to downplay the moment, but I mean it’s always cool but one thing that Coach Cael really instills in us this is all just preparation for the next thing, you know what I mean?” Starocci said following his title victory in March. “In God’s eyes, I don’t think He looks at anyone different if you’re national champ or not. I feel He kind of goes off your character and who you are as a person. All this is just preparation for that.”Starocci started and ended the season with victories over defending 184-pound NCAA Champion Parker Keckeisen of Northern Iowa. Starocci won 4-1 in sudden victory at the NWCA All-Star Classic at Rec Hall in November before defeating Keckeisen again 4-3 in the NCAA Final at the Wells Fargo Center.
The Erie native finishes his Penn State wrestling career with a 25-0 NCAA Championships record. He went 104-4 overall with a 61.07% bonus. Not including two injury default losses during the 2024 Big Ten Championships, Starocci only lost two matches during his career on the mat.
