It’s Official: Penn State NCAA wrestling champ Carter Starocci reveals what Trump told him after historic title win.
In a historic moment at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships in Philadelphia, Penn State’s Carter Starocci secured his fifth national title, becoming the first wrestler to achieve this feat.The 184-pound champion’s victory was witnessed by President Donald Trump, who attended the event and personally congratulated Starocci afterward.​
Following his 4-3 win over Northern Iowa’s Parker Keckeisen, Starocci approached President Trump, initiating a brief exchange.Starocci recounted the interaction, stating, “I said, ‘Hey, when I was warming up, you kind of made it hard for me because you’re the big dog.’ And he laughed and then he gave me a nice coin to recognize me.” ​
President Trump expressed his admiration for Starocci’s performance, telling him, “You’re one of my favorite wrestlers to watch in the world. I love your tenacity. I love your interviews.”The President’s attendance and engagement with the athletes underscored his ongoing support for collegiate sports.
Starocci’s unprecedented achievement was made possible by an eligibility waiver granted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing him an additional year of competition.Despite his success, Starocci voiced frustration with ESPN’s decision to schedule his match first in the lineup, suggesting that such choices contribute to wrestling’s struggle for mainstream recognition.
The presence of President Trump at the championships drew mixed reactions from the crowd, with reports of both cheers and boos.Nonetheless, his interaction with Starocci highlighted the significance of the wrestler’s accomplishment on a national stage.
Starocci’s historic win and his exchange with President Trump have brought heightened attention to collegiate wrestling, sparking conversations about the sport’s prominence and the impact of high-profile endorsements.​
