Carter Starocci named 2025 NCAA Wrestler of the Year

Penn State wrestling star Carter Starocci capped off a historic career with his fifth NCAA Championship in Philadelphia at the end of March. The former Nittany Lion became the first and likely only NCAA wrestler to accomplish the feat. On Wednesday, Starocci was honored for his efforts this season, winning the 2025 NCAA Division I Wrestler of the Year from the Open Mat.

Starocci defeated everyone in his path during the 2025 season, finishing with a perfect 26-0 record. He scored bonus points in all but one match, totaling 22 bonus point victories on the year. Including the postseason, Starocci had just one match end via decision. He surrendered just one takedown all season, coming in the Big Ten Championship to Minnesota’s Max McEnelly.

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.… pic.twitter.com/NTDlE8invE

— The Open Mat (@theopenmat) May 7, 2025

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.

“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.”

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