Sports
How Penn State wrestler Carter Starocci became a 5-time national champion
PHILADELPHIA — The Penn State fans inside Wells Fargo Center rose to their feet and held five fingers in the air.
In the waning seconds of Carter Starocci’s final match as a Nittany Lions superstar, one last gasp from Northern Iowa’s Parker Keckeisen ended the same way every Starocci match has gone during his five trips to the NCAA championships.
The crowd roared as Cael Sanderson bear-hugged Starocci much like he has done every March of Starocci’s star-studded career. The yearlong chase to accomplish a dream that wasn’t even feasible when Starocci started college came to fruition. His 4-3 win in the 184-pound class against Keckeisen cemented Starocci in college wrestling history as he became the first Division I wrestler to win five individual NCAA titles.
“I’ve been in this moment so many times, year after year,” Starocci said. “I have that experience and understand what to do. Honestly, I know I’m a five-time champ, but it’s really just another match. … It’s always about the next one.”
The COVID-19-shortened 2020 season granted Starocci an extra year of eligibility, and after he stormed through the bracket in Kansas City last year on one healthy leg to win his fourth NCAA championship, questions about this year and this quest for five national titles began. Though Starocci has insisted for a year that the next match is the most important, he’s one of only seven wrestlers all time to have navigated the grueling, sweaty and often bloody three-day gantlet of a tournament to win four NCAA titles. Sanderson is a member of the exclusive club as is former Nittany Lions star Aaron Brooks, who joined Starocci as a four-time champion last year.
One wrong move or one bad day on the mat would seem inevitable for anyone. Many of the sport’s best have stumbled to be perfect. Starocci proved time and time again he was the exception.
The Penn State standout — excluding a pair of injury defaults last season — ends his college career having not lost a match since the 2021 Big Ten tournament finals. During his career, he went 104-4, which includes those two injury defaults. Even Michael Kemerer, the last wrestler to defeat Starocci, was later beaten by him in the 2021 NCAA finals.
Penn State’s Carter Starocci claimed his fifth individual NCAA crown Saturday. (Eric Hartline / Imagn Images)
“That was a heck of a feat. That’s really special,” Sanderson said. “It takes a lot of mental toughness and focus. … You got two of the best wrestlers in the country, first match up, which is kind of weird, but that was a great match. That reshot Carter hit, that was as good as it gets.”
Penn State heads back to Happy Valley after a historic showing. It secured its 13th NCAA team title, including its 12th since hiring Sanderson in 2009. It wowed the in-state crowd with all 10 wrestlers becoming All-Americans. It’s just the second team to ever have 10 All-America honorees, joining Minnesota in 2001. The Nittany Lions even one-upped themselves by setting an all-time team scoring record with 177 points. The previous mark was 172.5 — which Penn State set in 2024.
In addition to Starocci, Mitchell Mesenbrink (165 pounds) took home an individual championship. Redshirt freshman Josh Barr finished second at 197 pounds. Five wrestlers, Luke Lilledahl (125), Beau Bartlett (141), Shayne Van Ness (149), Tyler Kasak (157), and Levi Haines (174) placed third. Sophomore Braeden Davis finished fifth, and heavyweight Greg Kerkvliet withdrew from the tournament due to injury. Kerkvliet finished sixth and concluded his college career as a five-time All-America honoree.
For a program that has churned out some of the best wrestlers in the country on an annual basis, it was Starocci who had the brightest of lights on him during the NCAA championships. ESPN even flipped the rundown for Saturday night’s television broadcast to put Starocci’s historic match first in an attempt to lure in the largest audience possible. Starocci wasn’t fond of the change.
One of Sanderson’s most outspoken and most prolific wrestlers, the same one who jogs out to the haunting main title from the “Halloween” franchise, wouldn’t have wanted his college career to end any other way than in the spotlight.
One last Carter Starocci intro as a Penn State wrestler pic.twitter.com/7BVNuy2jGQ
— Audrey Snyder (@audsnyder4) March 22, 2025
“He’s not scared of anybody,” said Mike Hahesy, who coached Starocci at Erie’s Cathedral Prep. Hahesy was on hand when Sanderson drove to the high school to recruit Starocci and was here, too, to watch Starocci chase history. “You could tell him he has to wrestle Hulk Hogan and Godzilla back-to-back, and he’d be like, ‘Yep, no problem. What mat am I on?’ He has that supreme, and I don’t know if it’s confidence or sure of himself, or I don’t know what, but he has that definitely more than any kid I ever coached and probably more than any person that’s ever wrestled.”
Starocci was once the young wrestler who holed up in his bedroom for a couple of months after he placed eighth at the Pennsylvania state tournament as a freshman in high school. His family worried about how withdrawn he became. When he emerged from the room with a list of demands for all of them — no more junk food in the house, no more of his time spent playing football — his mind was set on becoming the best wrestler possible.
“It was one of those moments that just awakens you,” Starocci said this week. “For me, it was what am I going to do with my life? Am I going to pursue this, or do I want to do something else because if I’m going to do something I’m not going to lose at it.”
Still, few people in the high school ranks or even at Penn State could’ve predicted a career like this.
Starocci is brash enough to tell all his opponents he’s going to beat them — and skilled enough to back it up. When Sanderson drove to Cathedral Prep to recruit Starocci, the coach took a detour to the home of Starocci’s high school wrestling teammate, Ian Malesiewski. Malesiewski was adjusting to life after a significant injury from wrestling left him paralyzed from the chest down.
Sanderson was there to spend time with Malesiewski, whose story spread through the wrestling world. During Sanderson’s two-plus-hour visit, he wanted to get the full picture of the wrestler he was recruiting. In a way, Malesiewski helped solidify Sanderson’s decision to keep heavily pursuing Starocci.
“We were getting ready to leave, and Cael said, ‘Should I recruit Starocci or not?’” Hahesy said. “Ian said, ‘Yeah, I think you should.’ Cael goes, ‘Well, why do you think I should recruit him?’ He goes, ‘Because you’ll never be able to find anybody that can beat him. … If Carter doesn’t go to Penn State, I don’t care who you’ll get from what state, that kid will never beat Carter.’”
He was right. Finding someone to upend Starocci, even when everyone was gunning for him, whether he won it all with a broken hand, an injured knee or with the weight of expectations on his shoulders, Starocci never backed down.
As Starocci paused for photos in the tunnel alongside his teammates Saturday, Penn State athletic director Pat Kraft leaned in for a hug. A smear of Starocci’s blood stayed on Kraft’s white hoodie, a not-so-subtle reminder of this night from one of Penn State’s all-time greats, who starred on one of the sport’s most impressive dynasties.
“I want these younger guys to keep on pushing for more and more and more and just keep that Penn State dynasty going,” Starocci said, drenched in sweat. “I’m not sure how much longer these coaches got, but I know coach Cael pretty well, and if there’s some kind of record out there or something — you guys figure it out — I’m sure when he breaks that, he’ll be done.”
(Top photo: Eric Hartline / Imagn Images)
Sports
Knicks hand Mamdani-backed candidate cease and desist letter for using team’s logo in campaign: report
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A New York Senate candidate who has been backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has reportedly been issued a cease-and-desist letter by the New York Knicks for using the championship team’s logo as part of her campaign.
Promotional stickers read, “I voted for Aber Kawas,” using the Knicks logo, with the team’s name replaced with “Kawas.”
According to the New York Post, the Knicks demanded that the campaign “immediately remove all promotional materials incorporating Knicks Intellectual Property, including but not limited to the unauthorized Advertisements, and cease any further use of Knicks Intellectual Property.”
Aber Kawas, Youth Activities Director for the Arab-American Association of New York, speaks at a rally in Columbus Circle protesting proposals to restrict Muslim arrivals to the United States. (Andy Katz/Corbis)
“Neither the Knicks nor NBA [Properties] have authorized the Campaign to use Knicks Intellectual Property in any way, including the Unauthorized Advertisements, which are likely to mislead the public into believing that the Campaign is affiliated with, sponsored or endorsed by, or in some way connected with the Knicks,” Brian N. Warner, senior vice president and head of legal for Madison Square Garden Sports, said in the letter, according to the outlet.
“The Campaign’s activities in this regard constitute, among other things, trademark infringement, trademark dilution, false advertising, false association, and unfair competition.”
The Knicks and Mamdani have had beef that began last year when Mamdani’s mayoral campaign also used the Knicks logo in a similar fashion to Kawas. Mamdani was given a cease-and-desist letter, and the Knicks made it clear they were not endorsing anyone in the race, which Mamdani won.
The White House then used the Knicks logo in a post shortly after last year’s election to say, “Trump Is Your President.” The Knicks reached out to the White House, which then removed the post.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani gives New York Knicks player Jalen Brunson the keys to the city during the Knicks’ championship ticker tape parade in New York City on June 18, 2026. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)
NYC CANCELS KNICKS NBA FINALS WATCH PARTY OVER TRUMP VISIT AS MSG FIRES BACK
Knicks owner James Dolan and Mamdani also had a back-and-forth earlier this month about Knicks watch parties during the team’s championship run. The two came face-to-face at the championship celebration last week at City Hall, when Mamdani name-dropped Knicks legend-turned-Dolan rival Charles Oakley during a reminiscent speech about the Knicks, while Dolan took one final parting shot at the mayor and stiffed him in a photo op.
“I don’t need your vote. I don’t need to quote to you what happened. If you’re real Knick fans you know it already,” Dolan said.
Dolan did announce that the Knicks would go to the White House to visit President Donald Trump, who attended Game 3 of the NBA Finals. The Knicks would be the first NBA team to visit Trump.
Kawas, the Muslim daughter of illegal immigrants, is now the Democrat nominee for New York’s Senate District 12 and is also a socialist. She recently came under fire for rejecting the notion that Muslim Americans need to apologize for 9/11, an attack “a couple of people did.”
Aber Kawas, a Palestinian American community organizer and democratic socialist running for New York State Assembly District 34, and Rep. Claire Valdez attend a demonstration in New York City demanding a rent freeze on rent-stabilized apartments in Long Island City on May 7, 2026. (Selcuk Acar/Anadolu)
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“I’ve always been outspoken about the wrongful scapegoating of Muslim Americans, both before and after 9/11, and in this interview I was speaking about the harmful notion that Muslims should have to apologize for an act of violence they have nothing to do with,” Kawas told Fox News Digital Thursday morning.
Fox News’ Peter D’Abrosca contributed to this report.
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Sports
Cameron Carr on Lakers acquiring him draft night: ‘It didn’t feel real’
NBA mock drafts projected Cameron Carr getting selected somewhere between 15 and 20 in the first round on Tuesday night.
Ending up with the Lakers later in the draft, however, was more than Carr could have asked for.
The Lakers acquired his draft rights from the New York Knicks, who took the 6-foot-5 Baylor guard with the 24th pick, in a multiple-team deal in which L.A. sent the draft rights to Spanish guard Sergio De Larrea, who was taken 25th, and cash considerations to New York.
As he sat for his introductory news conference Friday, dressed in all black, Carr shared what his thoughts were when he found out he would be playing for the Lakers.
“I’m going to the Lakers! It was more of an exciting thing,” he said. “It felt surreal. It didn’t feel real for the first couple minutes when I found out. It was trying to get my head around, ‘Man, I’m about to walk across the stage and be an NBA player.’ I’ve dreamed of this my whole life, especially since I was a kid. So it took a second. Still trying to get my head wrapped around it, but nothing but excitement and happiness. I feel more motivated to work.”
Rob Pelinka, the Lakers’ president of basketball operations, met Carr at the facility on Friday but didn’t speak with the media during the news conference.
It meant Pelinka couldn’t be asked about Austin Reaves agreeing to re-sign with the Lakers on a four-year, $185-million deal, or about how conversations are going with free agent LeBron James.
But NBA rules prohibit team officials from commenting on anything during the free agency moratorium, which won’t be lifted until July 6.
So, this day was all about the 21-year-old Carr and how impressed he was being in the Lakers’ building.
“Walking in the building, first thing you notice is the rich tradition of the people that have been here before you,” Carr said. “It’s a moment of happiness. As a kid, you always dreamed of walking across that stage and accomplishing everything you wanted to. Man, it just felt good to walk in the gym and look at the people that came before me. Now I’m in their shoes.”
Carr was viewed by NBA scouts as athletic with his 42½-inch vertical leap and as having a good jump shot.
During his sophomore season at Baylor, Carr averaged 18.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.3 blocks in 34 games. He shot 49.4% from the field, 37.4% from three-point range and 80.1% from the free-throw line.
But Carr quickly talked about how playing defense will be his calling card with the Lakers.
“Stepping into an organization with people with the same type of mindset and abilities, it only makes my job easier,” Carr said. “I’ve just got to cut and dunk the ball for them, and run in transition. But first things first is establishing a defensive consistency and showing I can be dominant or a plus on the defensive end as someone they would like to guard the best player.”
Carr always had his dad, Chris Carr, to lean on during his journey as a basketball player. Having him as a mentor was so beneficial because his father spent six seasons in the NBA. His most famous moment came in 1997, when he became the runner-up to Kobe Bryant in the slam dunk contest.
Now father and son have something else in common: making the NBA.
“I’ve always wanted to be better than him,” Carr said. “I’ve always been behind, so I want to show he’s put a lot of work in me becoming a better man. So I feel the only way I can credit him and show I’m thankful for him is by putting in the work and using it every single day. He was a heck of a player, so it’s some big footsteps I’ve got to follow and a long journey.
“It’s good motivation. My ‘why’ is just to be better and show people I’m better than a lot of people that are put in front of me. I feel like that’s the chip on my shoulder, or the fire under my feet.”
Sports
2026 World Cup Group Scenarios: What Remaining Teams Need To Advance To Round of 32
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The World Cup group stage can get complicated quickly.
With 48 teams participating for the first time ever, FIFA instituted new tiebreaker rules to determine the top two in each group along with the eight highest third-place finishers.
Below, FOX Sports Research has broken down what each team needs to advance, what results would send them through, and which scenarios could leave their fate hanging in the balance.
Here’s where every group stands heading into the next round of matches, and the simple scenarios for them to advance.
Note: Below scenarios are through all games played on June 25. Additionally, three points is now the minimum required for teams to advance as one of the eight third-place teams.
GROUP A SCENARIOS
- Mexico won the group and will face a third-place team from either Group C or E in the Round of 32 in Mexico City on June 30.
- South Africa finished as runner-up in the group, and will play Canada on June 28 in Los Angeles.
- South Korea finished third, and currently ranks eighth among the third-place teams.
- Czechia cannot advance to the knockout stage.
Mexico celebrates after securing the top spot in Group in the win vs. South Korea.
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GROUP B SCENARIOS
- Switzerland won the group and will play a third-place team from either Group G or J in the Round of 32 in Vancouver on July 2.
- Canada finished as runner-up in the group and will play South Africa on June 28 in Los Angeles.
- Bosnia and Herzegovina finished third, and will play USA in the Round of 32 on July 1 in Santa Clara.
- Qatar cannot advance to the knockout stage.
GROUP C SCENARIOS
- Brazil won the group and will play Japan on June 29 in Houston.
- Morocco finished as runner-up of the group and will play the Netherlands on June 29 in Monterrey.
- Scotland finished in third, and currently ranks tenth among third-place teams.
- Haiti cannot advance to the knockout stage.
GROUP D SCENARIOS
- USA won the group, and will play Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 on July 1 in Santa Clara.
- Australia finished as runner-up of the group and will play Egypt on July 3 in Arlington.
- Paraguay finished in third, and will play Germany on June 29 in Foxborough.
- Türkiye cannot advance to the knockout stage.
Folarin Balogoun of the U.S.
GROUP E SCENARIOS
- Germany won the group and will play Paraguay on June 29 in Foxborough.
- Ivory Coast finished as runner-up of the group and will play Norway on June 30 in Arlington.
- Ecuador finished in third, and clinched a spot as a third-place team.
- Curaçao cannot advance to the knockout stage.
GROUP F SCENARIOS
- Netherlands won the group and will play Morocco on June 29 in Monterrey.
- Japan finished as runner-up of the group and will play Brazil on June 29 in Houson.
- Sweden finished third, and will play France on June 30 in East Rutherford.
- Tunisia cannot advance to the knockout stage.
GROUP G SCENARIOS
- Belgium won the group and will play a third-place team from Group A, I, or J on July 1 in Seattle.
- Egypt finished as runner-up of the group and will play Australia on July 3 in Arlington.
- Iran finished in third and currently ranks sixth among the third-place teams.
- New Zealand cannot advance to the knockout stage.
GROUP H SCENARIOS
- Spain won the group and will play the runner-up of Group J on July 2 in Los Angeles.
- Cape Verde finished as runner-up of the group and will play Argentina on July 3 in Miami.
- Uruguay cannot advance to the knockout stage.
- Saudi Arabia cannot advance to the knockout stage.
GROUP I SCENARIOS
- France won the group and will play Sweden on June 30 in East Rutherford.
- Norway finished as runner-up of the group and will play Ivory Coast on June 30 in Arlington.
- Senegal finished in third, and clinched a spot as a third-place team.
- Iraq cannot advance to the knockout stage.
GROUP J SCENARIOS
- Argentina won the group and will face Cape Verde on July 3 in Miami.
- Austria will advance with a win or draw; in a draw, the runner-up will be decided by tiebreakers.
- Algeria will advance with a win or draw; in a draw, the runner-up will be decided by tiebreakers.
- Jordan cannot advance to the knockout stage.
Lionel Messi of Argentina.
GROUP K SCENARIOS
- Colombia has advanced.
- Colombia will win the group with a win or draw.
- Portugal will advance with a win or draw, and will win the group with a win.
- Uzbekistan can advance with a win, but it is not guaranteed.
GROUP L SCENARIOS
- England will advance with a win/draw.
- England will win the group with a win AND a Ghana draw/loss.
- Ghana will advance with a win/draw.
- Ghana will win the group with a win AND an England draw/loss.
- Panama cannot advance to the knockout stage.
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