Carter Starocci Makes History
Penn State’s Carter Starocci made history at the NCAA Wrestling Championships held in Philadelphia by winning an unprecedented fifth national title. Starocci secured his win against Northern Iowa’s Parker Keckeisen with a close score of 4-3 in the 184-pound final. This victory contributed to Penn State’s remarkable overall achievement of claiming their 12th men’s Division I wrestling national title under coach Cael Sanderson.
Wyatt Hendrickson Stuns Gable Steveson
Another highlight of the evening was Oklahoma State’s Wyatt Hendrickson, who delivered a shocking performance against Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson. Hendrickson trailed for most of the heavyweight final but managed to clinch a last-minute takedown, winning 5-4. This moment capped off an exhilarating tournament, with Hendrickson celebrating his stunning victory in front of U.S. President Donald Trump, who was in attendance.
A Weekend of Upsets and Triumphs
The NCAA Championships provided numerous surprises and outstanding performances. Hendrickson’s victory was lauded as potentially the biggest upset in college wrestling history, as Steveson had been on a 70-match winning streak. Following his victory, Hendrickson expressed his joy by saying, ‘It’s bigger than worlds, Olympics, anything.’
This year’s championships highlighted multiple formidable competitors, including Iowa’s Anthony Cassioppi and North Carolina State’s Vincent Robinson, who also claimed victories in tightly contested matches. Steveson, who went into the match as a significant favorite, previously announced his return to collegiate wrestling after a brief retirement post-2022.
Team Standings and Highlights
Penn State emerged on top with a remarkable score of 177 points, followed by Nebraska at 117 points and Oklahoma State with 102.5 points. Oklahoma State’s Dean Hamiti also showcased an outstanding performance, winning the national title at 174 pounds, further solidifying the reputation of their wrestling program under Coach David Taylor.
Conclusion
This year’s NCAA Wrestling Championships not only showcased the high level of competition but also underscored the potential for upsets and historic achievements in the sport.
