It’s almost college wrestling season! Before the 2023-24 Division 1 season kicks off, get to know the wrestlers who are carrying the longest winning streaks into this year.

5). Aaron Brooks , Penn State - 13

Last Loss: December 20, 2022 - Iowa State dual to Marcus Coleman (Iowa State)

Aaron Brooks is entering his final college season as a 3-time national champion and is looking to make history as just the 6th ever 4-time national champion (7th if Starocci wrestles before him at NCAAs). Many believe Brooks’ loss to Marcus Coleman last year was a fluke, and Brooks’ performance at NCAA’s proved that after he won consecutive matches against Kaleb Romero (4-1), Trent Hidlay (6-3), and Parker Keckeisen (7-2) to win the 2023 NCAA title at 184 pounds. 

This year, Brooks will make the move up to 197 pounds where he’ll face an entirely different group of contenders. Of the wrestlers ranked in the top 10 at 197, Brooks has only wrestled Trent Hidlay (also making the move up from 184). Brooks is the pre-season favorite, but the new challenges will make it fascinating to watch him during his final college season as a Nittany Lion.

Highlights of Aaron Brooks' win over Parker Keckeisen in the 2023 NCAA Finals:

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T3). Meyer Shapiro , Cornell - 15

Last Loss: None

Meyer Shapiro enters his freshman year at Cornell carrying a 15-match winning streak with him and an incredible amount of hype. Last year Shapiro won 3 open tournaments but was even more impressive in the freestyle season over the summer. Shapiro dominated his way to making the U20 world team at 70kg highlighted by a tech-fall win over Stanford’s Daniel Cardenas (notably the 6th seed at the 2023 NCAA Tournament and round of 12 finisher). Then Shapiro went on to win the gold medal at the U20 World Championships in August. 

Many believe Shapiro is an NCAA title contender this year because of everything we’ve seen from both in folkstyle and freestyle. We’ll see if Shapiro is worthy of the hype at the CKLV with potential matchups against past All-Americans #3 Peyton Robb, #5 Ed Scott, #6 Bryce Andonian, and #7 Will Lewan. Beyond that, Shapiro is set to face #15 Paddy Gallagher (Jan. 5), #6 Bryce Andonian (Jan. 7), and #5 Ed Scott (Feb. 16) during the dual meet portion of Cornell’s season. How good of a college wrestler will Meyer Shapiro be? We’ll certainly find out soon!

Watch Meyer Shapiro's gold medal match at the 2023 U20 World Championships:

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T3). Vitali Arujau, Cornell - 15

Last Loss: January 6, 2023 - Virginia Tech dual to Sam Latona (Virginia Tech)

Is there any wrestler with more momentum right now than Vito Arujau? Not only did Arujau blitz his way to a national title in 2023, but he also followed that up by winning a world championship in September in impressive fashion. Arujau’s only loss last year came against Virginia Tech’s Sam Latona whom Arujau defeated twice last season - in the finals of the CKLV and in the quarterfinals at the 2023 NCAA Tournament (8-5). Arujau could once again see Latona multiple times throughout the year this season considering both Virginia Tech and Cornell are set to compete at the CKLV in December and the two teams will dual on January 7th. Arujau is the favorite to bring home the National Title again in 2024 and it should be incredible to watch him in his final collegiate season. 

Vito Arujau's win over Sam Latona at the 2023 NCAA Tournament:

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2). Richard Figueroa, Arizona State - 17

Last Loss: None

Richard Figueroa was stuck behind 3-time All-American Brandon Courtney last year but that didn’t keep Figueroa from putting together a 14-0 record in the 2022-23 season. Those wins, along with 3 during his redshirt year, give Figueroa the second-longest winning streak in NCAA D1 wrestling. That winning streak is even more impressive considering the opponents Figueroa bested last season. Figueroa took out ranked opponents in #1 Matt Ramos, #7 Brett Ungar, #19 (at 133) Dylan Shawver, and #24 Diego Sotelo. Those victories should cause Sun Devil fans to be very optimistic about Figueroa this year and his potential to challenge for a national title. Figueroa will get a chance to prove himself early in the season with a potential matchup against returning 4th place finisher #2 Anthony Noto in Arizona State’s dual against Lock Haven on November 11th (Live on FLO).

Richard Figueroa's win over Matt Ramos at the 2022 CKLV:

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1). Carter Starocci, Penn State - 52

Last Loss: March 6, 2021 - Big Ten Championships to Michael Kemerer (Iowa), 7-2

Carter Starocci is a 3-time NCAA Champion with his last loss coming against Michael Kemerer in the 2021 Big Ten finals. Starocci has since avenged that loss three times over Kemerer and will carry the longest winning streak in NCAA D1 wrestling into his 4th season with the Nittany Lions. Starocci likely won’t be tested until after the first of the year but then will face numerous top opponents in a 5-week span. He’ll start with #9 Travis Wittlake on January 5th then will have potential matches against #11 Donnell Washington (Jan. 14, Starocci’s only other college loss), #4 Shane Griffith (Jan. 19), #7 Carson Kharchla (Feb. 2), and #5 Nelson Brands (Feb. 9). Starocci will absolutely be the favorite in all of those matches but it will be interesting to see if any of those contenders can push Starocci and hand him his first loss in almost 3 years.

Highlights of Carter Starocci's win over Mikey Labriola in the 2023 NCAA Finals:

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