Penn State Wrestling Goes 4-1 at NWCA All-Star Classic
Carter Starocci returned to the Penn State wrestling program this season poised to make history as a four-time champion. On Tuesday, Starocci proved that he might be the best overall wrestler in the country as well.
The Nittany Lions' three-time NCAA champ was dominant at the NWCA All-Star Classic, scoring an 11-0 major decision over Virginia Tech's Mekhi Lewis in the sold-out exhibition match at Penn State's Rec Hall. Starocci highlighted Penn State's 4-1 evening, which included a technical fall by top-ranked Greg Kerkvliet and majors from Starocci and Aaron Brooks. Here's the Penn State recap.
149: No. 2 Shayne Van Ness (Penn State) dec. No. 3 Kyle Parco (Arizona State) 5-1
Van Ness, who defeated Parco 7-2 in the third-place bout at the 2023 NCAA Tournament, continued to control this matchup. After a scoreless first period, Van Ness escaped to open the second and later emerged from a scramble to hit a throw for the takedown. Though Parco escaped late in the third, Van Ness controlled the period wit 1:39 of riding time.
174: Carter Starocci (Penn State) dec. No. 2 Mekhi Lewis (Virginia Tech) 11-0
This marked Starocci's third win over Lewis and his most dominant. Starocci, always the aggressor, didn't score in the first period but took over in the second. He hit a 4-point near-fall, escaped quickly to open the third period and continued through the finish, adding a late takedown. Starocci also compiled nearly 2 minutes of riding time.
Starocci and Lewis, a 2019 NCAA champ, met in the 2022 NCAA final, which Starocci won in overtime. Starocci also defeated Lewis in the NWCA exhibition last year, 2-0, when he was dominant on top. Starocci owns the NCAA's longest active win streak at 52 bouts.
184: No. 1 Parker Keckeisen (Northern Iowa) dec. No. 2 Bernie Truax (Penn State) 7-4
Keckeisen's path to an NCAA title likely will run through Penn State again. Last year, Aaron Brooks defeated Keckeisen 7-2 for the 184-pound title. With Brooks wrestling at 197 this season, Truax, a Cal Poly transfer, Keckeisen's primary competition. Keckeisen took the first round, bouncing back from an early 3-1 deficit for the decision. Truax actually took a 4-2 lead with an early third-period escape, but Keckeisen benefited from two stalling calls before finishing the win with a late takedown in the third.
197: No. 1 Aaron Brooks (Penn State) dec. No. 3 Tanner Sloan (South Dakota State) 11-2
Brooks has looked formidable in his early bouts at 197. On Tuesday he dominated the defending NCAA runner-up at this weight class, turning a first-period takedown into a major decision. Brooks controlled the action throughout, increasing his lead to 7-0 before Sloan got a late escape. Brooks added another takedown in the second period and a final point for 91 seconds of riding time.
285: No. 1 Greg Kerkvliet (Penn State) tech. fall No. 2 Wyatt Hendrickson (Air Force) 18-2 in 4:48
Were this an NCAA championship preview, Kerkvliet just became the overwhelming favorite. The defending runner-up was overwhelming from the jump, hitting a takedown/near-fall combination for a quick 7-0 lead. Kerkvliet led 11-1 after one period and continued attacking, hitting two more takedowns in the second period for the technical fall.
Penn State returns to action Dec. 3 for its first dual match of the season. The Nittany Lions host Lehigh in their match. Start time is at 2 p.m. from Rec Hall. Big Ten Network will televise.
Beau Bartlett Named Big Ten Wrestler of the Week
Penn State scored its second consecutive Big Ten wrestler-of-the-week award, as Beau Bartlett was recognized for his performance at the Army Black Knight Invitational. Bartlett went 4-0 at the tournament with three pins at 141 pounds. Bartlett, ranked second nationally at 141, shared the award with Rutgers' Yaraslau Slavikouski.
More Penn State Wrestling
Penn State wins five titles at Army Black Knight Invitational
Lions showcase veterans, new talent at Journeymen Classic
Carter Starocci returning for final season at Penn State
Penn State unveils 2023-24 wrestling schedule
Penn State's David Taylor, Zain Retherford win world titles
Penn State sets dates for 2024 U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials
AllPennState is the place for Penn State news, opinion and perspective on the SI.com network. Publisher Mark Wogenrich has covered Penn State for more than 20 years, tracking three coaching staffs, three Big Ten titles and a catalog of great stories. Follow him on Twitter @MarkWogenrich. And consider subscribing (button's on the home page) for more great content across the SI.com network.