Ready to take everyone out: Carter Starocci, Cael Sanderson talk going for a 4th NCAA Championship

Penn State wrestling claimed its second consecutive and eighth Big Ten Championship over the weekend under head coach Cael Sanderson. The Nittany Lions did so without star wrestler Carter Starocci, who had to injury default out of the tournament. After striking down speculation that his collegiate wrestling career was over, Starocci officially earned his at-large bid to the NCAA Championships on Tuesday. Now on Wednesday, the Penn State wrestling star and his coach talked about the “drama” that took place over the week, and their thoughts on Starocci’s quest for a fourth NCAA individual title.

Carter Starocci, Cael Sanderson address drama at the Big Tens

The Carter Starocci injury story has captivated the attention of not just the Penn State wrestling community but the collegiate wrestling world as a whole. Over the weekend, the three-time National Champion appeared to be frustrated and upset after Cael Sanderson had him injury default out of the Big Ten Championships.

Ultimately, the decision was made to give Starocci more time to recover from his injury and prepare him for the NCAA Championships next week. Cael Sanderson has done this with several Penn State wrestlers over the years. The mindset is always that individual and team national titles are more valuable than conference titles.

“There was some drama and some things over the weekend,” Cael Sanderson said on Wednesday. “…I think it was definitely the right decision [to not wrestle]. And, he’s doing well. He’ll be ready to go. I mean, he’s Carter.”

For his part, Carter Starocci admitted that it was a frustrating situation that took place over the weekend. But ultimately,  he recognized that Sanderson was acting with his best interest in mind.

“It was frustrating, but I think just looking back on it, it’s a blessing to have a coach that really cares about me, not just as a wrestler, but as a person,” Starocci said. “…At the end of the day, he’s the boss man. I work for him. So, whatever he decides, that’s what I’m going to roll with.”

Ready to take all those guys out: Penn State wrestling star earns at-large bid to the NCAA Championships

Since Carter Starocci did not pick up any wins in the Big Ten Championships, he did not receive an automatic qualifier to Nationals despite being the No. 1 ranked wrestler at 174 pounds in the country. Instead, the Nittany Lions senior had to rely on getting an at-large bid from the NCAA.

The NCAA released the at-large bids on Tuesday afternoon, and, as expected, Starocci was on the list. After tweeting that he was ready for the NCAA Championships a few days ago, Starocci will be heading to Kansas City next week. The Erie native is the 10^th Penn State wrestler to qualify for the Nationals.

“I was ready to go [last weekend],” Starocci said of his mindset going into Nationals. “For me, I’m fully healthy — I can do everything right now. I think me being a competitor, just being who I am and how I was brought up, I just want to take all those guys out and keep sending messages.

“I don’t care what they seed me at, don’t even have me seeded. Just have me wrestle every single kid in the bracket one-by-one, and I’ll take them all out inside three days.”

Chasing greatness

Carter Starocci will be trying to achieve something that only five wrestlers have ever done in NCAA history: winning four National Championships. He and teammate Aaron Brooks will be looking to join Penn State wrestling coach Cael Sanderson as four-time NCAA Champions, a list of names that immediately would vault the Nittany Lions onto the list of the all-time greats in the sport.

When asked what guidance he’d have for Brooks and Starocci in going for a legacy-defining title, Sanderson hinted he has a few tips in mind. But those recommendations will stay inside Rec Hall, for now.

“I would give them that advice,” Sanderson said. “And I would keep it between them and myself, probably.”

On his end, Starocci acknowledges the significance of what awaits him in Kansas City next week. But more than his legacy, it’s the competition that drives him.

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, like I’ve said,” Starocci stated. “But seriously, when I really think about it, it’s really not that cool for me. I just like beating people up. That’s just really fun for me. And with me not being able to compete at the Big Tens, I’m ready to cut every one of these dudes’ throats off. It’s going to be business.”

All ten of Penn State’s wrestlers will find out their NCAA Championships seeds on Wednesday night at 8:00 p.m.

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