Wyatt Hendrickson pulled off arguably the best upset in NCAA wrestling historical past with a surprising comeback win over Olympic champion Gable Steveson on Saturday evening in Philadelphia.
Heading into the finals, Steveson, who captured the gold medal on the 2020 Olympics, hadn’t given up a single takedown all season in addition to the NCAA event that began this previous Thursday. He seemed like he was on his method to a 3rd nationwide title after he scored an early takedown on Hendrickson and appeared he would maintain off any late comeback.
That each one modified with lower than 30 seconds remaining within the closing interval when Hendrickson acquired a maintain of a leg and didn’t let go till he delivered a takedown on Steveson. The Oklahoma State wrestler held onto the place till time expired as Steveson seemed completely gutted sitting on the mats whereas Hendrickson started his celebration.
UFC Corridor of Famer Daniel Cormier was calling the motion for ESPN and his response mentioned all of it.
“Oh my goodness! Wyatt Hendrickson simply beat Gable Steveson!” Cormier shouted. “Oh my god! That’s loopy! Oh my goodness. That is the craziest second in NCAA historical past! I’m simply joyful I might say I used to be right here to observe. I don’t know if I’ve ever been that stunned at a wrestling match.”
The ultimate rating was 5-4 for Hendrickson.
The result’s made that a lot greater contemplating Steveson successfully returned to varsity for his closing yr of eligibility solely to win one other NCAA title after he left the College of Minnesota to pursue a brand new profession when he signed with WWE. Sadly, Steveson’s skilled wrestling profession didn’t pan out and he briefly tried his hand at skilled soccer after signing with the Buffalo Payments however he was reduce earlier than the season began.
That led to Steveson returning to varsity and he ran roughshod over the competitors all season lengthy till he bumped into Hendrickson on Saturday.
“At this time, I took the gold medal, I’m No. 1,” Hendrickson mentioned. “I used to be telling myself I do know I can do that. God gifted me. All week I’ve been David and Goliath and nobody thought David might take down Goliath however I did.”
Hendrickson, who’s presently a member of the Air Power, transferred to Oklahoma State for his closing yr of eligibility the place he labored underneath Olympic champion David Taylor in his first yr as head coach. Now his school profession involves an finish as an NCAA champion and he can proudly tout a win over Steveson on his resume.
Listed below are the complete outcomes from the 2025 NCAA Wrestling Nationwide Championships:
184 kilos: Carter Starocci (Penn State) def.. Parker Keckeisen (Northern Iowa), 4-3
125 kilos: Vincent Robinson (NC State) def. Troy Spratley (Oklahoma State), 2-1
133 kilos: Lucas Byrd (Illinois) def. Drake Ayala (Iowa), 3-2
141 kilos: Jesse Mendez (Ohio State) def. Brock Hardy (Nebraska), 12-9
149 kilos: Ridge Lovett (Nebraska) def. Caleb Henson (Virginia Tech), 1-0
157 kilos: Antrell Taylor (Nebraska) def. Joey Blaze (Purdue), 4-2
165 kilos: Mitchell Mesenbrink (Penn State) def. Mike Caliendo (Iowa), 8-2
174 kilos: Dean Hamiti (Oklahoma State) def. Keegan O`Toole (Missouri), 4-1
197 kilos: Stephen Buchanan (Iowa) def. Josh Barr (Penn State), 5-2
285 kilos: Wyatt Hendrickson (Oklahoma State) def. Gable Steveson, 5-4
