One of the biggest upsets in the history of the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships unfolded Saturday night in Philadelphia, as Oklahoma State’s Wyatt Hendrickson stunned Minnesota’s heavily favored Gable Steveson, 5-4, in the 285-pound heavyweight final.
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Steveson — a two-time NCAA national champion, the 125-kilogram Olympic gold medalist at Tokyo in 2021, and a former WWE wrestler who also tried out for the NFL’s Buffalo Bills last season — jumped out to a quick three-point lead and still held a 4-2 advantage with 30 seconds remaining in the third and final round. Then, Hendrickson pulled off an incredible three-point takedown for the almost unimaginable victory.
"WYATT HENDRICKSON JUST BEAT GABLE STEVESON!!!!!" #NCAAWrestling x 🎥 ESPN/ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/3y22fGCUHw
— NCAA Wrestling (@NCAAWrestling) March 23, 2025
Hendrickson’s last-second maneuver was the only takedown Steveson had allowed all season, and Steveson hadn’t lost at the college level since 2019, a 73-match winning streak. One of those victories was an 18-2 victory over Hendrickson in 2021.
“God gifted me. All week I’ve been looking at David and Goliath, and no one thought David could take down Goliath, but I did,” Hendrickson said in an interview with ESPN moments after his championship performance, referencing the famous Bible story from 1 Samuel 17. “I trusted in my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He gave me that victory. He was on that mat with me today.”
Hendrickson continued praising the Lord in his post-match press conference, which he began by saying, “First I want to thank my family. I want to thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for blessing me.” His meditations during the week about David and Goliath, he said, were inspired by a sermon shared with him by an OSU team doctor.
“David had a vision of victory before he stepped out [into battle], and I kind of carried that with me all week,” Hendrickson said. “Even though he went after Goliath and everyone was like, ‘This can’t be done,’ he had the mindset of a champion and he had the vision of victory. So leading up to this tournament, I knew my head had to be in the right place if I wanted to end up on top.”
Hendrickson, a Newton, Kansas, native, spent four years at the Air Force Academy before transferring to Oklahoma State for his final year of eligibility, and he posted a 30-0 record this season (including the postseason). He is the first OSU heavyweight to win an NCAA national title since 2005.
U.S. President Donald Trump was in attendance for the wrestling championships, and as a member of the Air Force, Hendrickson saluted his commander in chief after the stunning victory. He later embraced the president while draped in the American flag he had previously donned while walking to the mat.
In addition to the flag, Hendrickson came out to the mat sporting a shirt that read, “JESUS — More Than a Conqueror.” The phrase references Romans 8:37, a verse quoted on the back of his shirt.
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The following day while reflecting on his accomplishment, Hendrickson continued to praise God by referencing Matthew 19:26 on X. On Instagram, he references Psalm 23:4 in his bio.
That just happened. Nothing is impossible when you have God by your side!
— Wyatt Hendrickson (@wyatt_hendrick) March 23, 2025
As part of the World Class Athlete Program, which allows top-ranked athletes to fulfill their military service while competing internationally, Hendrickson plans to continue to wrestle in an attempt to qualify for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. To reach the Olympics, he may very well have to defeat Steveson again. Regardless, Hendrickson says he will fulfill his five-year commitment to the Air Force after his wrestling days are over.
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