Penn State wrestling stars unfazed by pursuit of history

Next weekend, Penn State wrestling will compete for a third consecutive title at the NCAA Championships in Kansas City. But for Nittany Lion superstars Aaron Brooks and Carter Starocci, there’s also a slice of college wrestling immortality on the line. Well documented by this point in the season, Brooks and Starocci are on a quest to become the first Penn State wrestlers to win four individual National Championships, and the sixth and seventh to ever accomplish the feat in the sport.

But the duo doesn’t feel the weight of history bearing down on them as they prepare for Kansas City. This week, Starocci and Brooks discussed their mindsets ahead of the NCAA Championships and their views of the potentially historic accomplishment in the larger scheme of life.

Aaron Brooks, Carter Starocci unfazed by legacy-defining opportunity at NCAA Championships

If you’ve followed Penn State wrestling up until this point of the year, you likely don’t need a rehashing of what is on the line for Aaron Brooks and Carter Starocci next weekend. The pair can cement themselves, not only firmly atop the best wrestlers in Nittany Lions’ history, but in in college wrestling as a whole.

But you wouldn’t know it by talking to them. Discussing the historic feat that awaits them next week in Kansas City, Starocci and Brooks were careful to put the magnitude of the accomplishment in perspective.

“I think a long time ago [I wanted it], whenever I was first coming into the program,” said Aaron Brooks when asked about the chance to join his coach, Cael Sanderson, as one of college wrestling’s four-time championship winners. “Just [when I was] a lot younger, even with my mindset, I was like, ‘I want to do this or I want to do that, be a four-timer.’

“But I think a lot of things in life, we want [them] just because we see how someone else is viewed when they have them. So [it took] me realizing, the old me, I loved the way people look at him [Sanderson], how they respect him. But you can’t want things for that. So it’s a matter of reflective change.”

For Carter Starocci, it’s more about the opportunity to get back on the mat and compete again. The star 174-pounder was forced to medically forfeit out of the Big Ten Championships last weekend due to an injury sustained in the dual season finale on February 25. Always a fiery competitor, it’s no-holds-barred for the Erie native next week at Nationals.

“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.”

Divergent paths for the Penn State wrestling stars

The journey to the top of the podium will look quite different next weekend for the Penn State wrestling stars.

Aaron Brooks, a dominant 17-0 on the season with bonus points in 16 of those duals, claims the No. 1 seed at 197 pounds. The Hagerstown, Maryland native will first face off against No. 32 ranked John Crawford of Franklin and Marshall to start Nationals. Brooks has maintained a vice-grip on the weight class all season, and it’s clear that the national title runs through him.

Equally as dominant this season has been Carter Starocci. However, his injury default at the Big Tens put two blemishes on his perfect record and ended his 64 dual winning streak. Now 11-2 on the year, Starocci finds himself at the No. 9 heading into the NCAA Championships. But make no bones about it, Starocci still believes the 174-pound title begins and ends with him.

“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.” Starocci will face No. 24 Andrew Sparks of Minnesota in the first round, whom he medically forfeited to in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten Championships.

Beyond their more than capable skillsets, the duo has another competitive advantage in Penn State wrestling coach Cael Sanderson. A four-timer himself, Sanderson has a wealth of experience to aid his superstars as they look to join him atop the college wrestling world next weekend. But as for what exactly that advice is, the college wrestling giant isn’t telling.

“I would give them that advice,” Sanderson said when asked what words of wisdom he had for Starocci and Brooks. “And I would keep it between them and myself, probably.”

Penn State wrestling will compete at the NCAA Championships in Kansas City, Missouri, starting next Thursday on ESPNU/ESPN+.

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