- Former President Donald Trump is scheduled to attend the NCAA wrestling championships in Philadelphia on Saturday.
- Star wrestlers Gable Steveson and Carter Starocci, who are expected to compete in the finals, welcomed Trump’s attendance.
- Trump has previously attended NCAA wrestling championships and other major sporting events.
PHILADELPHIA − The headliners of these NCAA Championships − two of the greatest college wrestlers of all-time − said they welcome performing in front of President Donald Trump.
Penn State wrestling icon Carter Starocci and Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson said that Trump’s scheduled Saturday evening appearance here at the Wells Fargo Arena is good for their sport.
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NCAA officials confirmed that the president plans to be in attendance during the championship finals − the expected college farewell for Starocci and Minnesota’s Steveson, both multiple NCAA title winners. Penn State also expects to be wrapping up its 12th national team championship in 14 years in Saturday’s evening session.
Trump has long been a fan of wrestling and has attended previous NCAA Championships, including the 2023 event in Tulsa, Oklahoma, as well as UFC fights.
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News of Trump’s planned trip to Philadelphia broke Tuesday after OutKick founder Clay Travis made a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, about him traveling with Trump to the event. White House officials have not yet offered security details for Saturday’s finals though fans should plan for substantial parking delays in arena lots and entrance to the arena.
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Trump has frequented major sporting events since returning to office, including the Army-Navy football game in December, the Super Bowl and the Daytona 500. He also attended the Alabama vs. Georgia football game in Tuscaloosa last fall during his campaign.
Gable Steveson, Penn State’s Carter Starocci talk about Donald Trump
On Wednesday, Steveson and Starocci, the biggest stars of these NCAA Championships, said they look forward to ending their college careers in front of the nation’s leader.
Starocci, who wrestles at 184 pounds, hopes to become the first five-time NCAA champion. Steveson, a heavyweight, looks to finish an undefeated season with his third title and first since leaving the sport two years ago to pursue MMA and the NFL.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Starocci said. “(President Trump) came to the nationals my sophomore year and it was really cool. He’s obviously a big fan of combat sports, he’s at all the UFC events. It’s good for our sport.”
Said Steveson: “It’s a great thing. Regardless of who the president is I think it’s a great factor to even come and support wrestling.
“We’re going to put on a good show for him. Him showing up Saturday night, he’s coming to watch some of the best wrestling on earth, and we’re going to give that to him.”
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This will be yet another link between Trump and Penn State athletics in the past six months.
Last October, less than a month from Election Day, Trump brought the three-time reigning national champion Penn State team with him on stage during a rally at the university’s Bryce Jordan Center.
He also reportedly was considering the Nittany Lions’ top-five football match-up against Ohio State in Beaver Stadium just a week later but decided not to attend.
Frank Bodani covers Penn State wrestling for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at [email protected] and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @YDRPennState.
