UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Four members of the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club, including current Penn Stater Carter Starocci (Erie, Pa.), took part in the 2021 U.S. Senior World Team Trials this weekend in Lincoln, Neb. Reigning NCAA Champion Starocci (79 kg) and former champions Jason Nolf (79 kg) and Zain Retherford (70 kg) as well as Jennifer Page-Rogers (62 kg) all took part.
The NLWC's three Olympic medalists: Olympic Gold Medalist David Taylor (86 kg), Silver Medalist Kyle Snyder (97 kg) and Bronze Medalist Thomas Gilman (57 kg) already earned spots on the U.S. team by virtue of their medals and no competition at their weight classes took place.
Starocci led the way for the NLWC. After a first round loss, Starocci reeled off five straight wins to place third at 79 kg. Starocci picked up impressive wins over Branson Ashworth, Chance Marstellar, Evan Wick, Isaiah Martinez (by forfeit) and fellow NLWC teammate Jason Nolf (a 4-3 win in the third-place bout).
Nolf teched Wick before dropping a close, hard fought bout toe Jordan Burroughs in the semifinals at 79 kg. He then picked up another tech fall win in the conso semis before the close loss to Starocci. Nolf placed fourth.
Retherford placed third at 70 kg, picking up three straight victories after a first round loss. Retherford posted an impressive 11-0 tech fall over Tyler Berger in the third-place match.
Page-Rogers also finished third at 62 kg. She picked up an 11-0 tech fall in her first match then lost her second bout. After a forfeit win in consolation action, she finished third with an 8-6 victory in the third-place bout.
The 2021 World Championships will take place in Oslo, Norway, on Oct. 2-10, with Taylor, Snyder and Gilman all participating for Team USA.
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