Let’s face it, the ‘fighter mindset’ isn’t particularly about a calm and measured approach to things. So, when four-time NCAA champion Carter Starocci of Penn State was asked about the possibility of a fifth title at a recent press conference, he channeled his fighter mindset in his answer…no one should have been too surprised! Right? Well, for the most part, no one was, aside from the moment being retweeted a fair bit because of Starocci’s stoic, unfazed demeanor when he said, “I want to make sure, before I go, that I kill all these guys.”
Sure, the whole “kill” thing has…obviously dangerous connotations, but Starocci was just speaking as a true fighter, someone who is built to channel their inner demolition demons in order to score the big wins. WWE fans will remember some of the catchphrases that reverberated across living rooms back in the day, such as The Undertaker, who, to build on that whole ‘killer’ theme, was literally named The Undertaker with the simple catchphrase, “Rest in Peace.” So Starocci’s statement is nothing new in the world of combat sports and should be received with the context and history that it builds on. However, it makes sense that a coach or former wrestler might, with the benefit of hindsight, have a different take on things.
As was the case with Cael Sanderson, what a man! The former Iowa State wrestler and current Penn State coach offered a refreshing contrast in perspective to Starocci at a recent press conference. Sanderson kept his focus on the performance of the team and keeping things simple. He also offered some really profound thoughts about success. “During the season we don’t worry too much about our wins and losses because it’s all going to be behind us soon, and sometimes losing a match can be a great blessing, sometimes having a good match when we don’t want to can be a great blessing, sometimes winning a national title is a great blessing, and sometimes it isn’t, you know?”
“And we won’t know the answer to that unless you look back and your life and see where it is in 25 or 30 years,” Sanderson said, putting an epic spin on the whole situation by equating conventional success, i.e., wins vs. losses, with long-term happiness and one’s life journey. Despite seemingly undercutting the boldness of Starocci’s statement, Sanderson didn’t hold back on commending his sportsmanship at the same conference.
Despite his measured response, Cael Sanderson is fully backing Carter Starocci
When asked a question about how Carter Starocci was handling the expectations of the potential 5th NCAA title and how the coaching staff was handling the same, Sanderson could not help but praise the reigning champion and stress the weight of this achievement.
“We’re excited for Carter.” Sanderson said, “He’s given a great effort every single day. Naturally, he’s going to be at his best in the big moments. He always has been.” Sanderson added that it is an extremely unusual opportunity for a four time NCAA champion to be competing for his fifth title, a unique and probably one off feat, given Starocci is only getting the chance to compete for the additional title because he began competing during the Covid-19 era. So, if he manages to bag it, he might be the only wrestler in history and the future to ever do so.
Starocci’s father, Chris Starocci, shared a revealing insight into a low but transformative time in his son’s life after he placed 8th in his first Pennsylvania State Wrestling Tournament. “He rebuilt himself up during that time in his room,” Chris said to Nittany Sports Now, referring to his son’s single minded focus on altering his entire life to better his wrestling (including learning to cook his own nutritious meals!). A focus that Sanderson also confirmed during the press conference by calling Starocci a “supreme competitor.”
However, Sanderson also capped his answer at the press conference with, “No more talk or speculation or this or that; you just get to go do it,” speaking to the fact that actions on the mat are ultimately far louder than any words (including ‘kill’). If there’s one thing no one can temper or downplay, it’s Carter Starocci’s will to succeed and the surety of his wrestling.
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