Wyatt Hendrickson's Historic NCAA Wrestling Championship Run
The 2025 NCAA Division I National Championships in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, witnessed a series of thrilling matches and unforgettable moments. Among them, Wyatt Hendrickson's journey to the heavyweight title stands out as a remarkable story of perseverance, faith, and triumph over adversity. This article delves into Hendrickson's path to the championship, highlighting his stunning victory over Gable Steveson and the broader context of the tournament.
A Stunning Upset: Hendrickson vs. Steveson
The heavyweight final between No. 2 Wyatt Hendrickson of Oklahoma State and No. 1 Gable Steveson of Minnesota was undoubtedly the highlight of the tournament. Steveson, an Olympic gold medalist and two-time NCAA champion, entered the match on a 73-match winning streak. Few anticipated Hendrickson, a transfer from the Air Force Academy, could dethrone the seemingly invincible Steveson.
Steveson took an early lead, going up 3-0 with a first-period takedown. Hendrickson narrowed the gap with an escape, making it 3-2 in the second period. Steveson then pushed ahead 4-2 in the third. With just 21 seconds remaining, Hendrickson executed a high crotch to a double leg takedown, securing a 5-4 lead that he would not relinquish.
"My arms have never felt so strong," Hendrickson said. "All I know is I kind of felt when I got that takedown, he kind of gave that little second to relax, and I took advantage of that. I don’t know if I had a claw to ride, but I was looking at the clock, and I was just squeezing him."
The victory was not only a personal triumph for Hendrickson but also a significant moment for Oklahoma State wrestling. It marked the first time since 2005 that a Cowboy wrestler had won an NCAA title at heavyweight, when Steve Mocco did it.
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The Road to the Finals
Hendrickson's path to the championship was paved with challenges and impressive victories. Just the night before, Hendrickson controlled Greg Kerkvliet 8-2 in the semifinals. Hendrickson's journey to the final was marked by a change in mentality. "I think I've always been a great wrestler, but I really think the biggest thing that changed was my mentality, to be honest with you,” Hendrickson said, reflecting on his development since a previous loss to Kerkvliet. He emphasized the importance of wrestling to win rather than wrestling not to lose, a mindset that proved crucial in his later matches.
A Moment with the President
Adding to the significance of the moment, President Donald Trump was in attendance at the championships. Hendrickson, after his victory, saluted Trump and later shook hands with him. "He said he was very proud of me," Hendrickson told ESPN’s Quint Kessenich.
Hamiti Jr.'s Triumph
Dean Hamiti Jr. became the Cowboys 144th individual NCAA champion when he defeated defending national champion Keegan O’Toole of Missouri 4-1 in sudden victory. In the first period, O’Toole, who beat Hamiti Jr. in sudden victory in the Big 12 Championships in Tulsa, got Hamiti’s leg and had him hopping around trying to avoid the leg sweep and also escape. The second period started with Hamiti down and he escaped in eight seconds for a 1-0 lead. There was action, but no scoring. In the third period, O’Toole escaped in nine seconds to tie the match at 1-1. Hamiti got a single leg and moved around back, but O’Toole still had Hamiti’s leg crossed underneath. The official awarded Hamiti a takedown and the Missouri corner through the brick. After review the call was reversed. This time Hamiti Jr. left nothing to chance. He got the single leg and that launched the two wrestlers into a scramble, but Hamiti Jr. always seemed to be in the best position and he eventually worked it to a takedown with control of both legs. A win at 1:11 in sudden victory. Yes, the challenge brick was thrown, but the review was fast and the call was confirmed. Dean Hamiti Jr. national champion with a 4-1 decision in sudden victory. Hamiti Jr. “I kept my composure and didn’t take shots that I didn’t have to and scoring as many points as I can,” Hamiti Jr. answered ESPN’s Kessenich on how he did it this time.
Other Oklahoma State Wrestlers
Spratley was the first Cowboy on the mat in the finals as he and Vince Robinson of North Carolina State staged a rematch of Robinson’s 7-3 in in the dual in Stillwater. The two wrestled conservatively and after Spratley warded off a late attack by Robinson and than had one of his own squashed in the third period, it was 1-1 and on to overtime and sudden victory. In the first tiebreaker, Robinson started down and he got up almost at the whistle and escaped leaving Spratley with just three seconds of riding time. The shots became more active, but Robinson was ready with the defense. Spratley opted to start in neutral for his 30 seconds and again, plenty of shots and plenty of Robinson defense. Robinson won the 125 pound national championship with a 2-1 decision in TB1. Robinson finished 23-3 while Spratley was the runner up with a 24-5 record.
Plott started the day with a 2-1 win over Cornell's No. 6 Chris Foca in the consolation semifinals to reach the third-place match. He then faced the No. The fourth-place finish wraps up an impressive career for the Cowboy senior as he finishes with an overall record of 114-29 that includes 58 bonus-point wins. His win total ranks in the top 25 in program history and his 19 technical falls rank eighth. His 143 career matches as a Cowboy also rank among the top 15 all-time. Plott is just the 16th four-time All-American in program history and the 12th to record four finishes in the top six.
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Fish and Amine wrestled one match each Saturday as they wrapped up their All-America seasons with losses in seventh-place matches. Fish fell to Little Rock's No. 11 Matty Bianchi while Amine dropped his match to Missouri's No. 9 Cam Steed.
Team Standings and Other Championship Finals
Penn State dominated the tournament, securing its 12th national title under coach Cael Sanderson. The Nittany Lions amassed 177 points, well ahead of Nebraska's 117. Oklahoma State finished third with 102.5 points, and Iowa was fourth with 81.
Here's a summary of the championship finals results:
- 125 pounds: No. 4 Vincent Robinson (NC State) dec. No. 7 Troy Spratley (Oklahoma State), TB-1 2-1
- 133 pounds: No. 1 Lucas Byrd (Illinois) dec. No. 2 Drake Ayala (Iowa), TB-2 (RT) 3-2
- 141 pounds: No. 3 Jesse Mendez (Ohio State) dec. No. 1 Brock Hardy (Nebraska), 12-9
- 149 pounds: No. 2 Ridge Lovett (Nebraska) dec. No. 1 Caleb Henson (Virginia Tech), 1-0
- 157 pounds: No. 3 Antrell Taylor (Nebraska) dec. No. 8 Joey Blaze (Purdue), 4-2
- 165 pounds: No. 1 Mitchell Mesenbrink (Penn State) dec. No. 3 Mike Caliendo (Iowa), 8-2
- 174 pounds: No. 3 Dean Hamiti Jr. (Oklahoma State) dec. No. 1 Keegan O'Toole (Missouri), SV-1 4-1
- 184 pounds: No. 1 Carter Starocci (Penn State) dec. No. 2 Parker Keckeisen (Northern Iowa), 4-3
- 197 pounds: No. 2 Stephen Buchanan (Iowa) dec. No. 4 Josh Barr (Penn State), 5-2
- 285 pounds: No. 2 Wyatt Hendrickson (Oklahoma State) dec. No. 1 Gable Steveson (Minnesota), 5-4
Hendrickson's Background and Future
Wyatt Hendrickson, born on January 13, 2001, had a unique journey to the NCAA championship. Before transferring to Oklahoma State, he spent four years at the Air Force Academy. This background adds another layer to his story, highlighting his dedication to both his athletic pursuits and his country.
As part of the World Class Athlete Program, Hendrickson plans to continue wrestling with the goal of qualifying for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. His victory over Steveson has undoubtedly boosted his confidence and established him as a force to be reckoned with in the wrestling world.
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tags: #NCAA #wrestling #championships #Hendrickson #history
