Carter Starocci speaks his mind: A return to Penn State, what he'd do to Jordan Burroughs

STATE COLLEGE — Penn State wrestling's Carter Starocci enjoys speaking his mind, often in extraordinary means, when he gets the chance.

That was the case Saturday between matches of the U.S. Olympic Wrestling Trials early championship series session in the Bryce Jordan Center.

Starocci, wearing Nittany Lion warm-ups, finally had the time. He defaulted out of these Trials Friday after suffering his first loss.

He said he didn't re-aggravate his injured right knee in losing his match — rather, he simply didn't come here to wrestle for third place. And so he elected to watch former Penn State national champs Zain Retherford and Nick Lee battle for the 65 kilogram title (Retherford won both matches) and good buddy Aaron Brooks battle mentor David Taylor for the 86 kilo crown (Brooks won the first bout).

"I want to be in Paris," Starocci, a four-time NCAA champion like Brooks, told a group of reporters. "I think participating is not that cool. I don’t think just being here is cool."

That was just the beginning. Here's his takes on other subjects, from his Penn State wrestling future to Jordan Burroughs to the Nittany Lions' lineup next season:

Will Carter Starocci go for a fifth national title with Penn State wrestling?

He said he's "60 percent" decided to return to Cael Sanderson and the Nittany Lions for the 2024-25 season.

He would be inclined to do so at a heavier weight. He won his fourth national title last month in Kansas City at 174 pounds. He wrestled up the Olympic Trials at 86 kilograms (about 189.5 pounds).

He could wrestle at 189 or 197 pounds next season. The Lions' lose both of their starters at those weights, Bernie Truax and Aaron Brooks.

Starocci said he expects to meet with Sanderson and his coaches to discuss the matter again soon. He hopes to make a decision in the next few weeks.

Olympic wresting updates: Penn State wrestling's road to the Olympics: Day 2 Live updates from U.S. Olympic Trials

"I haven’t thought too much about it yet. I don’t think my mom and dad even know what I’m doing next."

If he does return he could become the first college wrestler ever to win five national titles (He would make use of his extra athletic season given during the Covid pandemic).

Carter Starocci's take on next season's Penn State lineup

He said he wants to decide his Penn State future soon in order to help an ever-stacked wrestling lineup sort itself out.

“We have so many killers in the room. ... I know (Levi) Haines doesn’t want to make (157 pounds) any more and (Alex) Facundo’s having a hard time making 165."

Later on Saturday, freshman star Mitch Mesenbrink − who finished third in the Trials at 74 kilos and made the U.S. National Team — said he would attempt to wrestle at whatever weight his coaches see fit. He finished second nationally at 165 pounds this past season.

"I think however the team formulates I don’t think anyone’s coming close to Penn State for a long, long time," Starocci said.

What does Carter Starocci think of Jordan Burroughs?

Starocci was asked about wrestling icon Jordan Burroughs, particularly in regard to him shoving Mesenbrink's head hard to the mat during their Friday night match.

(Burroughs, an Olympic gold medal winner, is one of the most decorated and popular faces in the sport. He beat Mesenbrink but lost to Penn State's Jason Nolf later Friday and did not weigh-in for Saturday's consolations, ending his tournament).

"If I was Mitchell Mesenbrink and he jammed my face into the mat I would have spit in his face," Starocci said. "You’re not going to jam my face into the mat. I kind of wish Mitch would have done something ...

"Obviously, (Burroughs has) done a lot for the sport, but for me, it doesn’t mean much. I kind of have that side where I don’t care who you are, what you stand for, what you say. ... I just think he walks around thinking he’s King Kong and he’s not."

The Starocci-Burroughs drama began at the NCAA Championships when Burroughs suggested, at length, while doing TV commentary, that opponents should target Starocci's injured knee.

More Carter Starocci on Mitch Mesenbrink and Jordan Burroughs

Starocci said he did not take "any personal offense" to Burroughs' comments about his knee.

“This is a ruthless game. I would expect for anyone to be coming after my knee."

PSU rolls into U.S. finals: Penn State wrestling vs. Jordan Burroughs: How Lions will meet in Olympic Trials finals

David Taylor to Levi Haines: The student and mentor: How Penn State wrestling legends go for U.S. Olympic team together

However, he had other thoughts about the way Burroughs apparently let his frustration boil over during a chippy match, leading to shoving Mesenbrink's head. (The official warned Burroughs for the move but did not penalize him).

"I thought it was sneaky, Mitch's head was down. … If you're going to be tough guy have a fair battle. I get the competitive nature. I just think it was a little unnecessary and he knows a guy like Mitch isn’t going to retaliate, Mitch isn’t that kind of guy.

"I'd like to see him do something like that to me or Brooks or someone like that or even Bo (Nickal) and see how tough he is now. It’s a whole different story."

Frank Bodani covers Penn State sports for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at fbodani@ydr.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Penn State's Carter Starocci talks Jordan Burroughs, Olympic wrestling