The 86kg weight class might be stacked, but it’s Carter Starocci who’s lighting the fire under it. In a field filled with veterans and champions, it’s the five-time NCAA titleholder who’s now stealing the spotlight. With another gritty win under his belt, Starocci isn’t just advancing. He’s inching toward the kind of showdown that defines a wrestling career. Starocci took down Chance Marsteller 4-2 in a methodical, smart performance that showed his discipline, patience, and toughness. Having secured the bounty yet again, Starocci is all set to face none other than Kyle Dake! But what is there for him if he wins?
Well, to defeat Olympic medalist Kyle Dake is no cakewalk. But the prize if Starocci pulls this feat off? a coveted spot on the U.S. World Team. Surely, the stakes don’t get much higher than that. To get here, Starocci had to beat one of the most physically imposing wrestlers in the bracket. Reflecting on his bout against Marstellar, Starocci told USA Wrestling, “I mean, he’s real short and strong and things like that. So, I think it’s make him react and get him moving. Because I think he wants to kind of wear on guys and use his strength and his center of gravity. So, just really get him moving and things like that. That’s pretty much it, kind of.” Starocci executed that plan, keeping position and staying out of brawling exchanges. His years of collegiate dominance have sharpened his focus and taught him how to adapt his tactics against different styles. Something that will be critical in the next match.
And now, it’s Dake. The name alone carries weight. A legend in the sport, a four-time NCAA champ, and a regular presence on world podiums. But Starocci isn’t shaken. “Just another match, honestly. Like I said, every match is a big match, especially when you get to this kind of stage. So, I never look at it as this next match is more important than the match I just had… it’s the best man’s going to win,” Starocci sounded confident. But he also knew the worth that Kyle Dake carries.
Carter Starocci doesn’t just recognize Kyle Dake as a competitor. He sees him as a legend. The kind of athlete whose resume speaks for itself. Starocci remembers being in high school, watching Dake’s matches with admiration, studying his every move, and drawing motivation from his dominance. Now, years later, he’s not just a fan anymore. He’s standing across the mat from him.
To stand in front of your idol as an equal can potentially earn you bragging rights for a lifetime. His confidence is earned. The grind hasn’t worn him down. It’s made him better. And as he heads into one of the biggest matches of his career, Carter Starocci is no longer chasing greatness. He’s about to challenge it head-on.
Can Carter Starocci shake the throne in his showdown with Kyle Dake?
When Carter Starocci steps onto the mat against Kyle Dake at the World Team Trials Challenge, it won’t just be about a spot in Final X. But, it’ll be a clash between a fearless rising force and a battle-hardened legend. At 24, Starocci has built his name on dominance at the collegiate level and sharp execution under pressure. But against Dake, the four-time world champion and two-time Olympic bronze medalist, he’s facing a test unlike any other.
Carter’s 4-2 semifinal win over Chance Marsteller wasn’t just about advancing. He exhibited control, poise, and calculated risk. Dake, meanwhile, breezed past Parker Keckeisen with an 11-1 technical fall. And that reminded everyone why he’s remained one of the sport’s most formidable figures. Against Dake, that pursuit now takes its boldest turn.
Dake, who fell to Zahid Valencia at the U.S. Open, is navigating uncharted territory, needing to prove he’s still the man to beat. The tension is high. More so because, for Starocci, the opportunity is seismic. On the other hand, for Dake, it’s personal. And when these two step under the lights in Louisville, expect a battle that could define the 86 kg narrative for years to come.
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