NCAA Wrestling Champions Shake Hands with Trump After Winning Title Bouts

Saturday night was a historic moment for NCAA wrestling, as Penn State's Carter Starocci etched his name into the record books by becoming the first-ever five-time national champion in NCAA history. And if that wasn’t enough drama, he topped it off with a handshake from none other than former President Donald Trump.

Starocci clinched his fifth title after a razor-thin 4-3 victory over Northern Iowa’s Parker Keckeisen in the 184-pound championship at Philadelphia's Wells Fargo Arena. Following his win, he took a moment to greet Trump, who was seated mat-side, bringing a unique blend of sports and politics into the spotlight. His coach, Cael Sanderson, joined in the handshake lineup too. Talk about a power trio.

Starocci’s remarkable achievement was made possible by a fifth year of eligibility granted to athletes due to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic—a silver lining from an otherwise grim period. This might just be a one-time deal, making his record even more impressive.

Trump’s presence at the event didn’t go unnoticed. His arrival sparked a mix of cheers and boos from the crowd, but it undeniably brought national attention to the sport of college wrestling. Fans chanted “U-S-A! U-S-A!” as he entered the Wells Fargo Center, accompanied by a roster of notable figures, including White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, former WWE executive Linda McMahon, and Congressman Jim Jordan, a two-time NCAA wrestling champion himself. The energy in the building was electric, to say the least.

Several Penn State wrestlers weighed in on Trump attending the championships. Josh Barr called it “a great honor for the sport of wrestling,” emphasizing that the sport needs growth and exposure. Fellow wrestler Mitchell Mesenbrink agreed, saying, “We want people to watch wrestling. Attention is money.” He added that having anyone of Trump’s stature—regardless of political affiliation—at the event was “really cool.” Love him or hate him, it’s hard to argue with the visibility Trump brings.

This year’s championships marked a return to Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center for the first time since 2011. Back then, Penn State began its unprecedented dominance of NCAA wrestling, a streak that continues to this day. With 12 team titles in the last 14 years, including four in a row, the Nittany Lions are simply unstoppable.

Trump also took time to celebrate with other wrestlers after their victories, further amplifying the spotlight on the sport. This was his second appearance at the NCAA wrestling championships in three years, having also attended the 2023 event in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Clearly, he’s a fan of the grappling arts—or maybe just the spotlight they provide.