They came in as rising stars, fan favorites, and proven medal contenders, but they’re not on the team. Carter Starocci, Marcus Blaze, and others like them were expected to be key fixtures on the American national wrestling squad after explosive showings in the lead-up to the U.S. Open. Instead, a wave of upsets and heartbreaks in the semifinals left them on the outside looking in. But there might be a chance for pride, redemption, and a statement of belonging.

In the case of Carter Starocci, his semifinal heartbreak couldn’t have been more dramatic. Locked in against Olympic medalist Kyle Dake at the Senior World Team Trials Challenge, Starocci made what many believed to be a match-winning move in the dying seconds. Only for the officials to rule otherwise, handing Dake the win on criteria. Likewise, Marcus Blaze saw his momentum derailed by a single loss to Jax Forrest, despite dominating nearly every other opponent with surgical precision. These names, along with several others, now have a chance to salvage something more meaningful than just a team slot.

Justin Basch took to X to fire up the fanbase, writing, “Men’s Freestyle True 3rd Matches are set for Final X.” That June 14th showdown in the nation’s capital will see five can’t-miss matchups that could just steal the show before the main events even begin. At 57 kg, it’s Liam Cronin vs. Nico Provo. Then comes the electrifying clash at 65 kg, Marcus Blaze vs. Brock Hardy. At 70, Ian Parker takes on Bryce Andonian. The 74 kg bracket features Jarrett Jacques of Missouri vs. wrestling sensation Joey Blaze from Ohio. And headlining the slate at 86 kg, we get Carter Starocci vs. old rival Parker Keckeisen. Two of the best, whose every loss sparks headlines.

The stakes? Brutal. The pressure? Blinding. For prodigies like Marcus Blaze, this is more than a match. It’s a battle for credibility. Once the No. 1-ranked high school wrestler in the nation, Blaze had a spring to forget after losing that top spot. But his comeback has been sharp, calculated, and downright ruthless. Still, the 61 kg World Team slot is already occupied by 2024 Olympian Vito Arujau, whose pace and pressure have wrecked veterans on the senior scene. Blaze may not face Vito just yet, but navigating this loaded True Third bracket will be a test of championship mettle. Especially against someone like Brock Hardy.

Then there’s Carter Starocci. The Division I trailblazer who redefined what college dominance looks like with five NCAA titles. His semifinal against Kyle Dake was the stuff of heartbreak and headlines. Tied 3-3 in the final seconds, Starocci went for a winning takedown that looked clean to many, only for the refs to rule it came after time expired. The outrage was instant. Now, he’ll face Parker Keckeisen in a battle of titans with pride on the line and redemption in reach.

A bittersweet battle: Starocci’s lessons from the mat

The 86kg weight class at the 2025 U.S. World Team Trials was billed as one of the most stacked brackets in recent memory. And it delivered. Fans were especially fixated on the blockbuster clash between rising star Carter Starocci and veteran world champion Kyle Dake. Held at the Norton Healthcare Sports and Learning Center in Louisville, Kentucky, the showdown drew intense buzz. In the end, experience won out as Dake edged past Starocci to secure the coveted Worlds spot for Croatia. Despite the loss, Starocci took to X on May 17 with grace and a bit of humor, posting, “Man, it’s super weird having your coaches coach against you,” a nod to their shared training roots under Penn State legend Cael Sanderson at the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club.

That bittersweet dynamic wasn’t lost on anyone. Both men had trained side by side for years, and now Sanderson stood in Dake’s corner during the face-off. A surreal twist for Carter. But the heartbreak extended beyond awkward coaching optics. Starocci actually led the match 3–1 well into the second period after forcing a step-out and drawing a caution against Dake. What looked like a match-sealing takedown was soon wiped from the scoreboard after Dake challenged the call. In a razor-thin outcome dictated by the clock, Dake won on criteria. A gutsy performance from Starocci wasn’t quite enough this time, but the fight showed his readiness for the international stage.

Still, Starocci didn’t leave the mat with bitterness. In fact, he gave props to the man who beat him, “Good job, man, and thanks for the help along the way!” he wrote. There’s no doubt the four-time NCAA champion has benefited from sharpening his skills alongside a two-time Olympic medalist like Dake. While this bout didn’t go his way, Starocci’s response was equal parts humility and fire. This shows that this may be just a detour, not a dead end. With this new chapter unfolding, fans can’t help but wonder: Will Carter Starocci’s next big shot at glory come sooner than we think?