UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State Nittany Lion wrestler Carter Starocci (Erie, Pa.), ranked No. 5 in this week's InterMat individual rankings, has been named the Big Ten Wrestler of the Week for the week ending Feb. 14, 2021. It is the first such honor for the Penn State freshman.
Starocci earned the laurel by defeating sixth-year senior Logan Massa of Michigan in a key bout in the Nittany Lions' 18-13 victory in Ann Arbor. Massa entered the day ranked No. 2 by InterMat while Starocci was ranked No. 8 at the time.
The Erie Cathedral Prep graduate battled Massa evenly through regulation, heading to sudden victory tied 1-1 with each grappler owning an escape. After a scoreless extra minute, Massa chose down for his tie-breaker period and Starocci made the Wolverine veteran pay. Starocci muscled Massa over from the top position during a scramble and, using his legs, turned Massa's shoulders to the mat for four back points and a 5-1 lead. The Lion freshman added an escape and a penalty point in his tie-breaker period and posted the thrilling 7-1 (tb) victory.
Penn State is now 4-0 on the year, 4-0 in Big Ten action. The Nittany Lions return to action on Friday, Feb. 19, with a road dual at No. 11 Ohio State. The Lions and Buckeyes tangle in a dual that will air live on the Big Ten Network at 7 p.m. Penn State then hosts Maryland on Monday, Feb. 22, at 6 p.m. in another Big Ten Network national telecast.
Penn State Fans are encouraged to follow Penn State wrestling via twitter at @pennstateWREST, on Penn State Wrestling's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pennstatewrestling and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/pennstatewrest. This is PENN STATE. WRESTLING lives here.
