Wyatt Hendrickson Stuns Gable Steveson in NCAA Heavyweight Final Upset

PHILADELPHIA — Oklahoma State‘s Wyatt Hendrickson delivered a shocking upset on Saturday night, defeating Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson 5-4 to win the heavyweight title at the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships. The match took place at the Wells Fargo Center as President Donald Trump watched from the audience.

Hendrickson, a transfer from the Air Force Academy, entered the final with an undefeated record but faced a daunting challenge against Steveson, who had previously been on a 70-match win streak and was looking to secure his third national title. With less than a minute remaining in the contest, Hendrickson, trailing 4-2, executed the only takedown Steveson had allowed all season.

“It’s bigger than worlds, Olympics, anything,” said an emotional Hendrickson after his victory. He celebrated by draping himself in an American flag and saluting Trump, who was also in attendance during the tournament.

Entering the final round, Hendrickson had been behind but managed to score a pivotal takedown that electrified the crowd. “I made up my mind. I knew I wasn’t going to let him go,” he explained. “I was, like, ‘I have made it this far,’ and I knew I was going to win this match.” The crowd erupted as time expired, sealing Hendrickson’s win.

Hendrickson’s victory marks a historic moment, as he became the first Oklahoma State wrestler to clinch an NCAA heavyweight title since Steve Mocco in 2005. Previously, he had lost to Steveson in a match at the 2021 NCAA tournament by technical fall.

Throughout the tournament, Hendrickson showcased an impressive skill set, finishing his final season with a perfect record of 27 wins and no losses, including 13 pins and eight technical falls.

In addition to Hendrickson’s victory, Oklahoma State’s Dean Hamiti also achieved glory by defeating two-time national champion Keegan O'Toole to win the title at 174 pounds. Hamiti’s triumph came in sudden victory, capping a successful night for the Cowboys.

Penn State dominated the team standings, claiming its 12th national team title under coach Cael Sanderson. The Nittany Lions tallied 177 points, significantly outpacing the second-place Nebraska, which finished with 117 points. Oklahoma State finished third, earning its best placement since 2021.

Carter Starocci of Penn State also made headlines by winning his unprecedented fifth national title in the 184-pound category. He defeated Northern Iowa‘s Parker Keckeisen 4-3 in the final.

As the tournament concluded, Hendrickson’s dramatic upset and stellar performance firmly placed him among the top contenders for Wrestling’s Hodge Trophy, an award given annually to the nation’s top collegiate wrestler.