David Starr began amateur wrestling in 1998 at the age of seven. He graduated from Abington High School in 2009 and is third all-time in wins at 92 career victories. He was top sixteen in NHSCA Senior Nationals, defeating state champions and state placers from Alaska, Utah, Florida, New Jersey, and California. Starr then went to Elizabethtown College and later transferred to West Chester University, where he was a NCWA National Qualifier at 157 pounds. Starr pays homage to his amateur career with the distinct tattoo on his right thigh of an adaptation of the USA Wrestling logo.