Injuries are unfortunately part of the sport of wrestling but rarely do they occur as inopportunely and to a wrestler with as high a profile as they did last Sunday when top-ranked Carter Starocci was injured in Penn State's dual with Edinboro. 

The undefeated Starocci, with the requisite points for a tech-fall already secured, was attempting to continue to action to collect a pinfall when his legs got tangled in a position that resulted in the Nittany Lion senior needing assistance walking off the mat. 

You can watch the sequence unfold in the video in the tweet below: 

Good news. Carter Starocci recorded a first period technical fall in his final home match.
Potentially apocalyptic news. He appeared to injure his right knee at the end of this clip. The Cathedral Prep graduate was helped off the mat.
Scheduled to interview him. Wait and see now. pic.twitter.com/M3F74uuMFC

— Mike Copper (@ETNcopper) February 25, 2024

There's no official word yet on the severity of the injury, nor if Starocci will be able to wrestle in the postseason where a potential fourth NCAA title awaits. 

However, in the post-dual press conference, Head Coach Cael Sanderson did note that this would not be the first time Starocci might compete at NCAAs with an injury, as he previously won a title with a broken hand. 

Starocci does not have long before he has to be back on the mat. Big Tens begin on March 9. The NCAAs start on March 21. 

Starocci can still weigh in for Big Tens and then injury default out of his first match. This would result in him taking two official losses (for the injury default and the subsequent medical forfeit), however, he would still be eligible for an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, which he will most likely receive. 

We wish Starocci nothing but the speediest of recoveries. College wrestling is better with him on the mat!