Carter Starocci appreciation thread

[PSUwrestling]

I decided I didn’t want my appreciation of Carter to go into the end of a giant emotional NCAA thread. This young man has held down the fort for the greatest college wrestling team ever for five years and I wanted to give his example, contribution, character, and overall excellence it's own space before he is no longer on the team. A few of my best memories.
1) He gave an interview at the Big Ten's his redshirt sophomore year (with a broken hand that would slow him down)that stood out for several reasons. He talked about mental reps, he talked about the peace of God, and talked about his respect for AB. All in a way that made me feel that he really was something special.
2) Last year I was convinced he was doomed in his quarterfinal match with Lewis. There was the usual panic around getting his match on my TV and by the time I got there he was finishing a single leg on Lewis about as cleanly as anyone has finished anything. Carter was just business as usual. I could not believe how good this kid actually is.
3) His Sophomore semi against Hidlay. It is really all there needs to said about how much better he has been than his competition.
4) Finally the class with which he handled his match with Kemdog at Carver. It was a huge battle, all kinds of drama and tension, and when it's over he just shakes hands and walks off the mat. He has been fantastic at sending messages and this one was my favorite. "Beating your best guy in your house is just another day in my world".
I have really enjoyed all of the Cael era champions but this guy is pretty special

 

[tullfan68]

to many to count but winning title on one leg has to be the top!

 

[El-Jefe]

Carter is the subject of an all-time Cael recruiting story.

As the tale goes: Cael visited Carter in Erie and took him out for dinner. As they started eating, Cael ordered a basket of corn dogs and then started pushing them on Carter. And wouldn't take no for an answer, until Carter finally said he couldn't because he had to make weight the next morning.

I would be in sheer terror if I had to keep telling Cael Freaking Sanderson no to his face even once, let alone multiple times in the same sitting, and with my entire future career hanging in the balance.

 

[tullfan68]

a good friend of mine said Star was leaning bucks,guess he was wrong!

 

[El-Jefe]

a good friend of mine said Star was leaning bucks,guess he was wrong!

Your friend needs better sources. Carter's finalists were PSU, VT, and Minny.

 

[Rip_E_2_Joe_PA]

Carter is the subject of an all-time Cael recruiting story.

As the tale goes: Cael visited Carter in Erie and took him out for dinner. As they started eating, Cael ordered a basket of corn dogs and then started pushing them on Carter. And wouldn't take no for an answer, until Carter finally said he couldn't because he had to make weight the next morning.

I would be in sheer terror if I had to keep telling Cael Freaking Sanderson no to his face even once, let alone multiple times in the same sitting, and with my entire future career hanging in the balance.

Carter's answers were just what Cael wanted to hear.

 

[creamery freak]

At last year's PSWC banquet, I had the pleasure to shake Carter's hand and congratulate him on becoming a 4 timer. I told Carter he was a warrior, beating 2 former champs on one good leg.

I was at B10's last year too, and when Carter came out to forfeit his matches he was angry and wanted to wrestle. In the end Cael made the right decision.

Thank you Carter for some fun memories, and I wish you the best in you're freestyle or MMA future!

 

[McScoreley]

His interview after the Semis last year, Kessenich said "you make it look easy"

This is paraphrased but he said "That's because we're just playing a game here. This is supposed to be easy. What Martin Luther King and Harriet Tubman did to pave the way to let me play a game, that's what's difficult"

For how obsessive Carter is with winning ... that statement encapsulates the PSU mantra

 

[PD4thespawn]

When he had coach Casey c's back. I think it was last year.

 

[Ian]

Carter is a GOAT. Has done the Nittany Nation about as good as any athlete, maybe ever. Definitely on the PSU Mt. Rushmore of Sports no matter how you chisel it!

 

[creamery freak]

When he had coach Casey c's back. I think it was last year.

Maryland match, and Clemsen giving Casey crap last year about our guys going for techs when they already had a major.

 

[Sleepylion]

Maryland match, and Clemsen giving Casey crap last year about our guys going for techs when they already had a major.

Or pins when the tech was secured.
I think Clensen said you don't have to go for the pin.
Then Casey said something like ... this is wrestling and that is the point.
Pretty sure Caryer said he had Casey's back but doubted it would have been necessary.

 

[jtothemfp]

Or pins when the tech was secured.
I think Clensen said you don't have to go for the pin.
Then Casey said something like ... this is wrestling and that is the point.
Pretty sure Caryer said he had Casey's back but doubted it would have been necessary.

"Coach Casey would fold that man (Clemsen) like an accordion"

 

[Cstroke]

Didn’t he say
Coach Casey would have folded him up like a chair.
Ooops just saw your reply.
Don’t know exactly what he said.

 

[SWPA]

- Isn't the other guy the starter?

 

[creamery freak]

Now that we're on the Maryland/Clemson subject, I'll share a funny story from 2 week's ago. Casey was the guest speaker at the PSWC pre-match social prior to the Maryland match. Casey was taking questions and it was winding down. I get to ask a question. I said" I'm going to put you on the spot Casey? We're not going to see you and the Maryland coach wrestle after the match today?" Pin drop quiet. Casey answers " I'd love too!" Loud laughing roar! He's a straight shooter, besides a fantastic person and coach!

 

[AgSurfer]

Carter has one other thing going for him that never gets mentioned because we’re mostly guys posting on this forum. He’s one really good looking dude. If he wants to give the MMA stuff a crack, I’d say go for it, but maybe try taking a few acting classes on the side. If he gets anywhere in MMA so that he gets known outside of wrestling circles, he just might be able to open up a new opportunity that would be even more lucrative than sports.

 

[Creek Side]

The photo stuck in my head of Carter is from his RS year. I believe he was at the Scuffle when he and a dude from what I believe was V.M.I. were on the edge of the mat and that guy was getting a little chippy because Carter was dominating. Carter stood over him and glared for a moment just to let him know who was in charge.
I didn't know what to think at the time but you then knew he had that dog in him. Guess it turns out that it is exactly who he is.

 

[mcpat]

It will be the epic matches against the very best (has anyone beaten as many absolute studs as Carter?) that I will remember most. Carter’s will is the best I’ve ever seen. The natty over Lewis prob best exemplifies that.

 

[mhlarch]

Winning his 5th NCAA title.......I know I'm projecting, but it'll happen

 

[82bordeaux]

The photo stuck in my head of Carter is from his RS year. I believe he was at the Scuffle when he and a dude from what I believe was V.M.I. were on the edge of the mat and that guy was getting a little chippy because Carter was dominating. Carter stood over him and glared for a moment just to let him know who was in charge.
I didn't know what to think at the time but you then knew he had that dog in him. Guess it turns out that it is exactly who he is.

I think that was Chris Foca at The Edinboro Open.

 

[PSUwrestling]

It will be the epic matches against the very best (has anyone beaten as many absolute studs as Carter?) that I will remember most. Carter’s will is the best I’ve ever seen. The natty over Lewis prob best exemplifies that.

His hit list has to be top five ever. How many four timers had to go through two national champions to get to the finals ? Plus Kemerer and Hidlay could probably have beaten Shane Griffith if they had the opportunity. (and there is his win of a certain three timer)

 

[STAND with PRIDE]

Redshirt year some interviewer asked him "who do you look up to/respect in the room"
His answer "nobody"

 

[Creek Side]

I think that was Chris Foca at The Edinboro Open.

I have to quit being a lazy poster here. I just went back and watched. It was vs Spencer Carey of Navy in the quarters of the 2020 Scuffle. Happens with about 10 seconds left in the match.

174 lbs Quarterfinal - Carter Starocci, Penn State vs Spencer Carey, Navy

174 lbs Quarterfinal - Carter Starocci, Penn State vs Spencer Carey, Navy

www.flowrestling.org

 

[STAND with PRIDE]

" They don't count as losses because I avenged them" lol

 

[huskieswrestling]

Not PSU Carter but, 8-9yo St. George’s Carter. He and Spencer Lee were both on rosters for our league. They really didn’t have any buisness in it as they were far superior. The league was a way to get kids 4 matches on a weekend. Coaches met earlier in the week to set up the matches. The goal was to get the kids .500. Well you can imagine how excited coaches were to have those two wrestle thier kids. I was the coach there for our team. So I said fine. I sacrificed our best wrestler “knowing his parents would not be happy.” As well as my son. My son was a .500 wrestler at best. He wrestles Spencer first. Back then Spencer wasn’t tilting kids. It was double arm bars. He got my son so tight my son couldn’t get himself pinned and lived through quite a bit of pain. When it came time for Carter’s match. Carter took him down in about 4 seconds. At that time Carter would get a near side arm bar and a far side half and run the kid straight over their head flipping them to his back. Well I think half of it was Carter letting up a little and my son knowing enough to tuck his head and roll as Carter ran him over his head. But he pinned him quickly and painless. My son only wrestled a few more years. He didn’t have a passion for it. However I love bringing up his matches with Spencer and Carter every time they are on the TV.

 

[El-Jefe]

The photo stuck in my head of Carter is from his RS year. I believe he was at the Scuffle when he and a dude from what I believe was V.M.I. were on the edge of the mat and that guy was getting a little chippy because Carter was dominating. Carter stood over him and glared for a moment just to let him know who was in charge.
I didn't know what to think at the time but you then knew he had that dog in him. Guess it turns out that it is exactly who he is.

Spencer Carey from Navy, at the 2020 Scuffle.

 

[Roar More]

The best memory will happen in about four weeks.

 

[tullfan68]

Your friend needs better sources. Carter's finalists were PSU, VT, and Minny.

LOL I didn't say he was right must have been a friend of a friend!

 

[HCS3Seasons]

More personal memory than wrestling skill... My 90 y/o MIL is a huge PSU wrestling fan, but is in a nursing home... She tells people not to come visit her if PSU wrestling in on TV... We took her to the post-season luncheon last year, so she could meet and get pics with PSU wrestlers, with Carter as her favorite... I worked the NLWC golf tournament this spast and attended the social. I casually told Carter that my MIL said "hello". Carter noticed that my wide wasn't with me and asked where she was. I told him she had just had a double knee replacement. First thing out of Carter was "you tell her I'll be praying for her"... say a lot about Carter as a great person, beyind being a great wrestler... Carter wrestles with that unmistakable competitive edge, while having heart of gold off the mat. MIL 91st birthday was last week and, after the American match, he signed a birthday card for her, along with Mitchell and Levi. Brought her to tears this morning at breakfast and hopefully, we'll get MIL to the luncheon again this year...

 

[Petch]

Redshirt year some interviewer asked him "who do you look up to/respect in the room"
His answer "nobody"

Let’s not forget the big balls interview! I was crying😂

 

[RB-Old]

When he beat Kemerer for his first title after getting beat fairly bad at the B1Gs. It showed his will is an unstoppable force

 

[STAND with PRIDE]

Not PSU Carter but, 8-9yo St. George’s Carter. He and Spencer Lee were both on rosters for our league. They really didn’t have any buisness in it as they were far superior. The league was a way to get kids 4 matches on a weekend. Coaches met earlier in the week to set up the matches. The goal was to get the kids .500. Well you can imagine how excited coaches were to have those two wrestle thier kids. I was the coach there for our team. So I said fine. I sacrificed our best wrestler “knowing his parents would not be happy.” As well as my son. My son was a .500 wrestler at best. He wrestles Spencer first. Back then Spencer wasn’t tilting kids. It was double arm bars. He got my son so tight my son couldn’t get himself pinned and lived through quite a bit of pain. When it came time for Carter’s match. Carter took him down in about 4 seconds. At that time Carter would get a near side arm bar and a far side half and run the kid straight over their head flipping them to his back. Well I think half of it was Carter letting up a little and my son knowing enough to tuck his head and roll as Carter ran him over his head. But he pinned him quickly and painless. My son only wrestled a few more years. He didn’t have a passion for it. However I love bringing up his matches with Spencer and Carter every time they are on the TV.

Was watching the short special BTN aired a couple years ago and one of the stills was of grade school Carter leg-cradling one of my best friends son. He texted me immediately.
He had the pleasure of wrestling Carter a good dozen times over the years, all losses, mostly early ones.

 

[nerfstate]

This was at the Edinboro open his redshirt year. It was when I started to believe in Mark Hall’s prognostication on Carter.

 

[jtothemfp]

Now that we're on the Maryland/Clemson subject, I'll share a funny story from 2 week's ago. Casey was the guest speaker at the PSWC pre-match social prior to the Maryland match. Casey was taking questions and it was winding down. I get to ask a question. I said" I'm going to put you on the spot Casey? We're not going to see you and the Maryland coach wrestle after the match today?" Pin drop quiet. Casey answers " I'd love too!" Loud laughing roar! He's a straight shooter, besides a fantastic person and coach!

lmao, that is so sick that you asked him that! Well done, LOVE this story!

 

[WexfordWarrior]

Bump

 

[Cstroke]

I think stalling out another division 1 wrestler is crazy, especially a top 10 division 1 wrestler.

 

[Beezy14]

 

[El-Jefe]

Pre-PSU ... this cracked me up. Hold me back! Nijenhuis didn't really want that smoke.

 

[Cstroke]

Damn, they even have Sly holding back Carter.