Oklahoma cowboys wrestler Wyatt Hendrickson salutes President Donald Trump on Saturday night after Minnesota's Gable Steveson's historic upset in the 285-pound division at the NCAA Wrestling Championship.
Hendrickson, the second-center in the US Air Force, pointed out to the president and salute him when he was handed the American flag. Trump waved his fist and supported him. He then waved Trump's hand and hugged him as part of his celebration.
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Oklahoma's Wyatt Hendrickson responds after beating Minnesota's Gable Steveson in the NCAA Wrestling Championship in Philadelphia on Saturday, March 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
“It's the world, the Olympics, everything is big,” Hendrickson said.
This victory was considered one of the biggest disruptions in the history of NCAA wrestling. Steveson was looking for his third national title in a 70-match winning streak. He won national titles in 2021 and 2022, then went on a year off in 2023 and pursued a career in the NFL and WWE. He's back for the 2024 season.
Steveson gave up a takedown with 20 seconds left in the game. Hendrickson then scored once more before the time ran out. The crowd and the station were unsettled.
Hendrickson touched on his mentality entering the match and how his faith played a role in his victory.
“I think it'll be a few days before my emotions subside. But first, I just want to thank my family. I want to thank my Lord and my Savior, Jesus Christ, for blessing me,” he said on ASAP Sports. “In that last shot, I was on that foot and there was a bit of an extra push to get that takedown, I don’t think it was a coincidence.
“At the beginning of this week, our doctor, Brandon Mason, we went to church, and I was listening to a sermon.
Hendrickson suggested that he focused on the story as Steveson is his favorite to win.
President Donald Trump greets the reaction of Oklahoma's Wyatt Hendrickson after beating Minnesota's Gable Stevenson in Philadelphia in the NCAA Wrestling Championship on Saturday, March 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Pennsylvania wrestler speaks about Trump's attendance at the NCAA Championship
“I was carrying it all week. He chased Goliath, everyone 'can't do this', he had the heart of a champion and had a vision of victory.
“I went out there and I was brave, and my strength – it worked. I wrestled with that match. I became patient. I went in with the right mindset. Soon, it didn't want to acknowledge the mindset I had to have.
“He dropped me off once, but he dropped him off when it was important.”
Hendrickson said he is scheduled to serve in the Air Force for the next 20 years and is currently an acquisition officer. He said he is in a world-class athlete program.
“From the start, I wanted to make the military my career. That's clearly why I chose the Air Force Academy, and I was looking more than wrestling. I was looking at my career goals, my life goals,” he added. “I've achieved all people at the Air Force Academy. I'm working on the Big 12. Being a world-class education and being part of something bigger than me.
Oklahoma's Wyatt Hendrickson, right, will face Minnesota's Gable Steveson in Philadelphia on Saturday, March 22, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
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“I will wrest three more, then I will do my thing – I am planning a stay at 20. Yes, I am planning to make a career from that. As soon as the wrestling is over, I will do what I need, but that will be about nine years.
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