After winning his third NCAA wrestling title in March 2023, Penn State’s Carter Starocci had the opportunity to meet former President Donald Trump. Trump, attending the championships as a guest of Oklahoma Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin, was greeted with enthusiasm by the crowd. Following his victory, Starocci approached Trump, who praised the wrestler’s tenacity and engaging interviews. Starocci appreciated Trump’s bold personality and candidness, stating, “I like watching his interviews because he’s a big personality. He has a set of big balls. I like how his mind works.” citeturn0search0
In the lead-up to the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships, Starocci expressed excitement about Trump’s anticipated attendance. He noted that Trump’s presence at such events is beneficial for the sport, “He’s obviously a big fan of combat sports. He’s at all the UFC events, so I think it’s good for our sport.” citeturn0search2
Starocci’s interactions with Trump highlight a mutual respect between the athlete and the former president, both sharing a bold and unapologetic approach to their respective pursuits.
