Carter Starocci Wins Historic Fifth NCAA Title
Carter Starocci won his fifth NCAA title in 2025, beating Parker Keckeisen 4–3 at 184 pounds, as USA Wrestling reported.
A Change of Heart
After winning his fourth NCAA title in 2024, Starocci considered whether to return for another collegiate season. He ultimately used the additional year of eligibility and came back to Penn State for 2024–25, as FloWrestling reported. His goal was clear: pursue an unprecedented fifth national championship.
That pursuit became a concrete result in Philadelphia. The Penn State graduate went 5–0 at the NCAA tournament and defeated Keckeisen, the reigning champion at 184 pounds, by a 4–3 decision in the final.
Chasing History
Starocci achieved his fifth title at the 2025 NCAA Division I Championships, becoming the first wrestler in the tournament’s history to win five individual national titles, according to USA Wrestling’s event report. Penn State named him the tournament’s Most Outstanding Wrestler.
Weight Class Speculation
The original question about Starocci’s weight class was settled during the season: he competed at 184 pounds, moving up from 174, where he had won four championships. His final match was against Northern Iowa’s Parker Keckeisen, and the close 4–3 score made the fifth title a hard-fought one.
Team Impact
Starocci’s return helped Penn State complete a fourth consecutive NCAA team championship, according to Penn State’s tournament recap. He finished the tournament undefeated at 184 pounds, with five wins, including a 9–3 semifinal victory over Oklahoma State’s Dustin Plott and the 4–3 final over Keckeisen.
Beyond the Mat
Starocci’s fifth title also closed his collegiate career at Penn State. He left as the program’s most decorated wrestler and the only five-time NCAA Division I champion. The accomplishment turned the season’s comeback story into a record that had not previously been reached in the sport.
Looking Ahead
The historic goal described here is no longer pending: Starocci achieved it in 2025. His final NCAA crown came at a new weight, against the defending champion, and capped Penn State’s team title run in Philadelphia.
Sources
Tags: Wrestling
