University of Northern Iowa’s Parker Keckeisen embraces challenge from Penn State’s Carter Starocci in battle of NCAA champs at All-Star Classic

CEDAR FALLS – It is a Saturday night match better suited to end the season than to start it.

University of Northern Iowa’s Parker Keckeisen and Penn State’s Carter Starocci capped last season with NCAA titles at back-to-back weights. Both are at 184 pounds this year and Keckeisen didn’t hesitate to test himself against one of college wrestling’s best.

“I try to embrace it,” said Keckeisen, who will wrestle Starocci in the National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Star Classic on Saturday at Rec Hall in State College, Pa. “I’m trying to wrestle great competitors, so I'm going to go out there, we're going to wrestle and it's opportunity to learn – win or lose.”

Keckeisen and Starocci will be the last of 16 scheduled exhibition bouts that feature men and women wrestlers from various divisions in college wrestling. Keckeisen is one of five participants with Iowa ties, including former Iowa City West prep and Stanford All-American Hunter Garvin.

The meeting of national champions is unique this early in the season and even more uncommon considering it is voluntary.

“I think everyone is circling that on their calendars,” UNI Coach Doug Schwab said. “If they’re not, they’re crazy. I tip my cap to both of those guys because both of them wanted to wrestle. It’s an easy match to shy away from for both individuals.

“Parker is like that’s the only guy I want to wrestle and he’s going to get to wrestle him.”

Their resumes are bar none. Both are four-time All-Americans. Keckeisen won the 184-pound title last season, earning a national runner-up finish in 2023 and placing third in his first two NCAA tournaments. Starocci is a four-time 174-pound national champion. They returned for an additional year available from the pandemic-shortened season.

Both competed in this event a year ago. Keckeisen beat Penn State’s All-American Bernie Truax, while Starocci beat Virginia Tech’s Mekhi Lewis in a battle of national champions.

“He’ll be ready to scrap,” Schwab said. “That’s one thing he always does. Starocci is a great competitor.”

Keckeisen is returning from a banner season. He posted a 31-0 mark, recording 14 major decisions, 12 technical falls and two pins. Keckeisen tallied two technical falls and two major decisions during his NCAA title run. He was named the Big 12 Conference Wrestler of the Year and was runner-up for the Dan Hodge Trophy.

“Talk about a guy that is strapped in and buckled down probably even to another level these last two months,” Schwab said. “That’s saying a whole hell of a lot for a guy like him to see the focus that he has and the energy that he brings. If you watch him on a daily basis, I can’t understate it enough the impact that he’s had on this team but (also) the people around him.”

Schwab said Keckeisen is still scratching the surface of his potential. A scary thought for his opponents. Keckeisen has been working on areas to be even better.

“I’ve got great coaches that are very picky,” Keckeisen said. “Honestly, it’s little things. It’s mostly mental, trusting yourself more.

“I've always struggled in the top position and always trying to add layers to hand fight to hopefully progress in my freestyle career. So, there's always positions (to improve). I’ve got great coaches that try to lead me in that in that way.”

Wrestling one of the country’s best to start the season will only benefit Keckeisen overall, regardless of the outcome. He welcomes the good gauge right away. The goal is to progress each day and he will know what needs work after the bout with Starocci.

“When people present skills, it's just an opportunity to learn and add to your wrestling,” Keckeisen said. “It's not something to fear.”

Keckeisen is joined by No. 8 Garvin, who will wrestle West Virginia’s No. 4 Peyton Hall at 165. Garvin placed sixth nationally last season and was a four-time state finalist with three titles for West. South Dakota State’s third-ranked Cade DeVos, who wrestled at Southeast Polk, will face Penn State’s No. 2 Levi Haynes.

Wartburg NCAA Division III champion and No. 1 Massoma Endene will wrestle University of Indianapolis NCAA Division II champion and top-ranked Derek Blubaugh at 197. Grand View’s Maya Davis will battle North Central (Ill.) College’s Amani Jones at 124.

Competition will begin at 6 p.m. (Iowa time) and can be viewed only at www.flowwrestling.com.

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