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The 1000 block of West 30th Street is now known as “Carter Starocci 5X Way.”
Erie City Council and mayor Joe Schember honored Starocci, an Erie native and accomplished amateur wrestler, with a dedication ceremony Nov. 6. This gesture, sponsored by City Councilman Chuck Nelson, commemorates Starocci’s historic NCAA wrestling career at Penn State University.
“This is something that I really never envisioned,” Starocci said. “It’s really motivating for me to stay focused and make sure I’m on a good path so that I can inspire the next generation.”
Starocci became the first five-time NCAA Division I champion March 22 when he won the 184-pound championship for the Nittany Lions. The Cathedral Prep graduate previously won four national titles at 174 pounds and finished his NCAA career with a record of 119-4.
Building a champion: How Erie’s Carter Starocci made NCAA wrestling history
Starocci grew up less than 100 yards from where the sign reading his name now sits. City Council approved a resolution May 7 to designate this street as “Carter Starocci 5X Way.”
“The legacy will never be replicated,” said Nelson, a former collegiate wrestler himself. “No one is going to replace him as the greatest. He’s a young man, and we just hope he’s able to continue his greatness.”
Starocci recalled long nights training in Erie, development of inner belief, and appreciation for his support system. Dozens of family and friends attended the ceremony, including Prep coach Mike Hahsey and former youth coach Skip Chatt.
“This street sign stands for belief. In yourself, in your dreams, and the power of perseverance,” Starocci said. “When you have a clear vision of what you want and commit to it fully, it becomes reality. If anyone ever doubts what’s possible, just come down to Carter Starocci Way.”
“Erie taught me that success doesn’t come easy, but neither does hard times,” Starocci said. “It takes sacrifice, commitment, and the ability to see the end before the beginning. The world will always bring challenges but, when your inner strength is unshakable, there’s no external force that can stop you.”
100-win club: Every Erie County high school wrestler who has won more than 99 career matches
Seven wrestlers have won four NCAA Division I wrestling championships. None, other than Starocci, have won five.
Starocci defeated Northern Iowa’s Parker Keckeisen by 4-3 decision in the 2025 national finals, a matchup of previously unbeaten wrestlers. He defeated two former national champions in the 2024 national tournament, when he and teammate Aaron Brooks became, respectively, the sixth and seventh four-time Division I champs.
Starocci wins No. 4: Erie native wins historic NCAA wrestling championship
Starocci’s most recent NCAA loss, aside from two medical forfeits his junior year, occurred on March 6, 2021.
“This really means a lot to me and the city government to be part of this,” said Erie mayor Joe Schember, who handed Starocci a key to the city. “To know what he’s accomplished already in his life, and he’s probably going to accomplish more, I’m very happy to be here.”
Starocci’s wrestling career started in youth with the Erie Vipers. He first qualified for the Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling 10-and-under state tournament at age six, and won two PJW junior high state championships before arriving at Prep.
Starocci graduated from Prep in 2019 as a two-time PIAA champion with a 172-10 high school record. After a redshirt year at Penn State, he quickly rose atop the 174-pound weight class and three times was named a finalist for the Dan Hodge Trophy, awarded annually to the nation’s top college wrestler.
More: Penn State wrestling schedule, results, details for 2025-26 season
Contact Jeff Uveino at [email protected]. Follow him on X @realjuveino.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie native, wrestling legend Starocci honored with street dedication
Continue reading...
Erie City Council and mayor Joe Schember honored Starocci, an Erie native and accomplished amateur wrestler, with a dedication ceremony Nov. 6. This gesture, sponsored by City Councilman Chuck Nelson, commemorates Starocci’s historic NCAA wrestling career at Penn State University.
“This is something that I really never envisioned,” Starocci said. “It’s really motivating for me to stay focused and make sure I’m on a good path so that I can inspire the next generation.”
Starocci became the first five-time NCAA Division I champion March 22 when he won the 184-pound championship for the Nittany Lions. The Cathedral Prep graduate previously won four national titles at 174 pounds and finished his NCAA career with a record of 119-4.
Building a champion: How Erie’s Carter Starocci made NCAA wrestling history
Cementing a legacy
Starocci grew up less than 100 yards from where the sign reading his name now sits. City Council approved a resolution May 7 to designate this street as “Carter Starocci 5X Way.”
“The legacy will never be replicated,” said Nelson, a former collegiate wrestler himself. “No one is going to replace him as the greatest. He’s a young man, and we just hope he’s able to continue his greatness.”
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Starocci recalled long nights training in Erie, development of inner belief, and appreciation for his support system. Dozens of family and friends attended the ceremony, including Prep coach Mike Hahsey and former youth coach Skip Chatt.
“This street sign stands for belief. In yourself, in your dreams, and the power of perseverance,” Starocci said. “When you have a clear vision of what you want and commit to it fully, it becomes reality. If anyone ever doubts what’s possible, just come down to Carter Starocci Way.”
“Erie taught me that success doesn’t come easy, but neither does hard times,” Starocci said. “It takes sacrifice, commitment, and the ability to see the end before the beginning. The world will always bring challenges but, when your inner strength is unshakable, there’s no external force that can stop you.”
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100-win club: Every Erie County high school wrestler who has won more than 99 career matches
What made Starocci’s career historic?
Seven wrestlers have won four NCAA Division I wrestling championships. None, other than Starocci, have won five.
Starocci defeated Northern Iowa’s Parker Keckeisen by 4-3 decision in the 2025 national finals, a matchup of previously unbeaten wrestlers. He defeated two former national champions in the 2024 national tournament, when he and teammate Aaron Brooks became, respectively, the sixth and seventh four-time Division I champs.
Starocci wins No. 4: Erie native wins historic NCAA wrestling championship
Starocci’s most recent NCAA loss, aside from two medical forfeits his junior year, occurred on March 6, 2021.
“This really means a lot to me and the city government to be part of this,” said Erie mayor Joe Schember, who handed Starocci a key to the city. “To know what he’s accomplished already in his life, and he’s probably going to accomplish more, I’m very happy to be here.”
You must be registered for see images attach
From humble beginnings
Starocci’s wrestling career started in youth with the Erie Vipers. He first qualified for the Pennsylvania Junior Wrestling 10-and-under state tournament at age six, and won two PJW junior high state championships before arriving at Prep.
Starocci graduated from Prep in 2019 as a two-time PIAA champion with a 172-10 high school record. After a redshirt year at Penn State, he quickly rose atop the 174-pound weight class and three times was named a finalist for the Dan Hodge Trophy, awarded annually to the nation’s top college wrestler.
More: Penn State wrestling schedule, results, details for 2025-26 season
Contact Jeff Uveino at [email protected]. Follow him on X @realjuveino.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie native, wrestling legend Starocci honored with street dedication
Continue reading...
