When Penn State wrestling legend Carter Starocci loses, the wrestling world takes notice. When that loss is steeped in controversy, it ignites a firestorm. That’s exactly what happened Saturday afternoon when Starocci faced off against fellow titan Kyle Dake in a nail-biting 86 kg men’s freestyle match at the U.S. Team Trials. So what happened?

The score was knotted at 3-3 in the final seconds, with Dake holding the edge on criteria for scoring the bout’s highest-point move—a takedown earlier in the second period. Starocci, needing a score to clinch the win, went for broke and appeared to secure a takedown on Dake. The mat officials initially awarded it, but a video review overturned the call, ruling that Starocci completed the move just after time expired. The decision handed Dake a 3-3 victory on criteria, sparking debate among fans.

The Wrestling Junkie Twitter handle didn’t hold back, posting, “Freestyle sucks. This is a takedown on any planet. Starocci ROBBED.” Many from the wrestling community rallied behind Starocci, who was chasing his first senior world team berth after making history as Division I’s first five-time NCAA champion.

The matchup was a clash of giants. Starocci and Dake, now training pals at the Nittany Lion Wrestling Club, boast nine NCAA titles between them—Starocci with five from Penn State and Dake with four from Cornell. Dake, a four-time world champion and two-time Olympic medalist, earned a spot in the best-of-three Final X series in June, where he’ll face Zahid Valencia to secure a place at the World Wrestling Championships in Croatia. Valencia previously bested Dake at the U.S. Open in April.

Starocci, transitioning to freestyle after his storied collegiate career, had tied the bout with a step-out point and a caution, setting the stage for the dramatic finish. The only question was whether he beat the clock. The review said no, leaving Starocci empty-handed in his senior world team bid. Meanwhile, Penn State’s presence at Final X remains strong. Five Nittany Lions, including incoming freshman PJ Duke, who topped two NCAA champs at 70 kg, will compete. Levi Haines, Josh Barr, Luke Lilledahl, and Mitchell Mesenbrink also earned their spots, showcasing Penn State’s depth.

For Starocci, the loss stings, but the controversy has divided the wrestling community, members of which chimed in with their hot takes on what transpired during the final moments of the match.

Did Carter Starocci score a takedown? The wrestling community engages in heated debate

Fans held their breath as the officials reviewed the call, only to rule it no takedown, leaving Starocci and his supporters stunned. “MMA would even call that a takedown. Shit, that’s a takedown in a street fight even. Dake was rescued,” commented one fan, sure that the decision was unfair. A similar sentiment was echoed by another fan as they wrote, “Meanwhile, folkstyle dudes be flopping around like fish, and the most obvious of takedowns are not called.”

Meanwhile, the disagreements also came soon enough. “Actually, it’s not even a takedown in high school folkstyle…” Others dove into the technicalities, with one fan arguing, “Time was out… also not a takedown in freestyle even if time was in. Dake either has to post his hand, or Carter has to work up to the waist.” Well, takedowns are scored when one wrestler brings the opponent down to the mat from a standing position. A wrestler can be awarded a takedown as long as the opponent is in bounds. And there are many situations where it may appear that one wrestler is in control and should be given a takedown, but if the opponent who appears to have been taken down has a leg or the head of the wrestler on top, the referee will not award any points until one wrestler has complete control.

And thus, the debate grew heated, as another supporter chimed in, “Logically, no. Wrestling is a weird sport, but the guy who ‘got took down’ remained in control and in a more dominant position. I’d debate it even being a takedown vs. a drop—just watch the right leg of Dake as he ‘falls.’”

The controversial call has only fueled Starocci’s fans, who believe he was robbed of a fair shot. On the flip side, while the review may have closed the match, it’s opened a larger conversation about officiating in wrestling. For now, Starocci’s backers are rallying behind him, ready to cheer him on in his next fight.