Wyatt Hendrickson will represent the United States of America in the Air Force.
But first, on Saturday night, he took to the wrestling mats at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia with an American flag wrapped around his shoulders and President Donald Trump seated matside.
And Hendrickson proceeded to pull off what was immediately considered the biggest upset in the history of the NCAA Wrestling Championships.
Oklahoma State’s Hendrickson stunned Minnesota’s Gable Steveson, maybe the greatest heavyweight collegiate wrestling has ever seen. Steveson is an Olympic gold medalist from 2021 in the freestyle discipline.
“Today, I took the gold medal,” Hendrickson said on ESPN after the match. “I’m number one.”
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Hendrickson, who began his career at Air Force and is a second lieutenant, came to OSU for this final season in the hopes of this glory. It came in dramatic fashion.
The Cowboys star trailed 4-2 with 30 seconds left in the match. The only way to the top of the podium would be a takedown.
“I was telling myself, ‘I know I can do this,'” Hendrickson said.
Hendrickson took his shot, wrapped up Steveson’s left leg, and used it to flip himself on top for the 3-point takedown.
Hendrickson held on top for dear life to win the national title, 5-4.
285 NCAA Final
: Wyatt Hendrickson (OSU) defeats Olympic Champion Gable Steveson (Minnesota) to win the national title!!!! Biggest Upset in NCAA History!!!!! pic.twitter.com/Q2HTNJ8d4Z
— Saturday Night Lights (@WrestlingSNL) March 23, 2025
“All week, I’ve been looking at David and Goliath, and no one thought I could take down Goliath,” Hendrickson said. “And I did. I trusted in my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, and He gave me that victory. He was on that mat with me today.”
When the match ended, Hendrickson laid on his back on the mat, looking skyward in disbelief.
Hendrickson saluted and then soon strolled over to President Trump, who embraced him and told him, “I’m very proud of you.”
Wyatt Hendrickson — a second lieutenant in the @usairforce — salutes President Donald J. Trump after winning an @NCAAWrestling national championship
pic.twitter.com/KK4ngwH7mW
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 23, 2025
