Former Penn State wrestling star Carter Starocci, the first NCAA wrestler to win five individual national titles, is facing serious allegations of SA, grooming, and theft, as reported by Evan Smith of The Daily Collegian on June 26, 2025. These accusations, brought forward by former teammates and women associated with Penn State, have cast a shadow over Starocci’s storied collegiate career and his recent transition to mixed martial arts. The allegations detail a pattern of misconduct, including inappropriate behavior with minors, SA and retaliatory theft, prompting discussions about accountability within the Penn State wrestling program.
The controversy began when former teammate Beau Bartlett and his wife, Sydney, publicly alleged that Starocci was under investigation by Penn State University Police and Public Safety (UPPS) for a locker room theft at the Lorenzo Wrestling Complex (LWC) in December 2024.
According to texts obtained by The Daily Collegian, Bartlett believes the theft of over $1,000 worth of his property, including a watch and shoes, was an act of retaliation by Starocci after Sydney informed Starocci’s girlfriend of SA allegations against him. “It felt like an act of retaliation,” Beau said, noting that other teammates reported similar incidents of Starocci stealing items like custom shoes and scooters.
A woman, referred to as Jane to protect her identity, told the same source that Starocci began contacting her via Instagram in 2023 when she was 17 and he was 22. She alleges that he invited her to the LWC gym and sauna multiple times, often meeting her alone at night. “He had groomed me to feel comfortable with him,” Jane said, describing the interactions as manipulative. She further alleged that Starocci r*ped her twice at his home after inviting her to watch a movie during her freshman year at Penn State. “I didn’t (do) all the things I should’ve done to press charges against him because I was young and really scared,” she said, expressing regret for not pursuing legal action at the time.
Another woman, Ava, a Penn State sophomore who also requested anonymity, shared a similar story. She claimed that Starocci sent sordid images to her and her friends, all aged 16 or 17, in 2023. Ava alleged that during a visit to his home, Starocci SA-ed her as she attempted to leave. “As I was leaving, he pushed his body up against mine and proceeded to touch me inappropriately without saying anything,” she said, explaining her silence stemmed from fear of being dismissed as someone trying to ruin his career.
Former teammates also accused Starocci of inappropriate behavior in the wrestling room. Beau and another teammate, referred to as Mark, alleged that Starocci took nonconsensual sordid photos of them in the locker room and shared them in a team Snapchat group. They further claimed that Starocci engaged in physical misconduct during practices, including grabbing teammates’ privates and striking Mark’s head with his knee during a training match. These incidents were reportedly brought to the attention of head coach Cael Sanderson, but teammates expressed frustration that no significant action was taken.
The Penn State police investigation into the locker room theft, which relied on security footage showing Starocci and teammate Tyler Kasak entering the locker room, was closed on June 4, 2025, due to the inability to contact Starocci or secure an admission of guilt. The case was referred to student conduct, according to public information officer Jacqueline Sheader.
The accusations have drawn significant attention on social media platforms like X, where users have expressed outrage. One post stated, “Starocci is a shitbag. R*pe/Grooming a 17 year old/Stealing Items from teammates…what a great teammate!” while another highlighted the severity of the claims, noting allegations of Starocci contacting a minor and sending these images.
Starocci’s athletic achievements are undeniable. He capped his collegiate career with a 4-3 victory over Northern Iowa’s Parker Keckeisen at the 2025 NCAA Championships, becoming the first Division I wrestler to win five individual titles. He was named Penn State’s Male Athlete of the Year for 2024-25 and The Open Mat’s NCAA Division I Wrestler of the Year. However, these accomplishments are now juxtaposed with the serious allegations against him.
Amid the controversy, Starocci has shifted his focus to MMA, training at American Top Team with aspirations to become a UFC champion. “I want to be a UFC champion as well,” he stated, emphasizing his relentless approach to training, which he maintained even during his wrestling season. His transition to MMA has been described as one of the most anticipated in recent memory, but the allegations may impact his reputation and future in the sport.
The allegations against Starocci have also raised questions about the Penn State wrestling program’s handling of misconduct. Bartlett and others expressed disappointment in the coaching staff’s response, with Beau noting that Sanderson’s support for the police investigation felt like a “public relations comment.” As Starocci continues training for MMA and was not signed to the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club due to “character issues,” the wrestling community and Penn State face a reckoning over how such allegations are addressed.
The stories shared with The Daily Collegian highlight a pattern of alleged misconduct that has left victims and teammates grappling with fear and frustration. As Jane stated, her motivation for coming forward was to “stop my assailant from attacking more young girls.” With no immediate response from Starocci or Penn State Athletics, the allegations remain a focal point of discussion, challenging the legacy of a wrestling legend and the culture of a storied program.
