In a thrilling display of skill and determination, Penn State wrestlers Carter Starocci and Brady Truax have secured their spots in the NCAA semifinals. Starocci and Truax showcased their mettle in a series of hard-fought matches, defeating formidable opponents to move one step closer to the championship.

Starocci's path to the semifinals was nothing short of impressive. In the first round, he faced Andre Sparks, ranked 24th, and despite an early setback, Starocci rallied back with a flurry of points to secure an 8-3 victory. In the following round, he clashed with the eighth-ranked Adam Kemp of Cal Poly, displaying his offensive prowess and tactical control to emerge victorious with a 5-3 win. The quarterfinals saw Starocci face off against Virginia Tech's Mekhi Lewis, the top-ranked wrestler in his weight class. Starocci's calculated attacks and solid defense enabled him to secure a tremendous 4-0 triumph, thereby earning him the title of a four-time All-American.

Truax, too, exhibited exceptional skill and determination on his journey to the semifinals. In his first match, he dominated Cameron Pine of Clarion, overwhelming him with a display of technical superiority and securing an 18-3 tech fall victory. Truax then faced a tough challenge in the form of Missouri's Colton Hawks in the second round. The battle between the two wrestlers was intense, but Truax's resilience prevailed, leading him to a hard-fought 4-2 win. Truax's quarterfinal match proved to be a test against third-ranked Dustin Plott of Oklahoma State. Despite showing glimpses of brilliance, Truax fell short, losing by a score of 16-6.

With their quarterfinal victories, Starocci and Truax advanced to the consolation rounds, determined to secure a place on the podium. Truax faced off against North Carolina State's Dylan Fishback, where he showcased his technical prowess and superior control to secure a dominant 5-0 win, earning him his fourth All-America status. In his next consolation bout, Truax met Thomas Stewart Jr. of Virginia Tech, battling it out and emerging triumphant with a solid 5-1 victory.

Starocci and Truax's remarkable performances in the NCAA tournament have not only highlighted their individual talents but have also contributed significantly to Penn State's overall success. As they prepare for the highly anticipated semifinal matches, all eyes will be on Starocci and Truax as they aim to continue their impressive run and secure a place in the NCAA finals.