In a thrilling conclusion to the NCAA men’s wrestling championships held in Philadelphia, Oklahoma State’s Wyatt Hendrickson shocked the wrestling world by defeating Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson 5-4 in the heavyweight final. This nail-biting match unfolded in front of an excited crowd, which even included former President Donald Trump, who made a notable appearance at the event.

Hendrickson, a recent transfer from the Air Force Academy, found himself trailing late in the match, but he managed to turn the tide with a critical takedown in the final minute—marking the first time all season that Steveson had been taken down. The moment crowned Hendrickson as the first wrestler from Oklahoma State to earn an NCAA heavyweight title since Steve Mocco in 2005.

Following his hard-fought victory, an emotional Hendrickson thanked Trump by saluting him with the U.S. flag draped over his shoulders before shaking hands and embracing the former president. Reflecting on the magnitude of the win, Hendrickson expressed, 'It's bigger than worlds, Olympics, anything.'

Steveson, who was aiming for his third national title and had an impressive 70-match winning streak, has had quite a journey. After becoming the national champion in both 2021 and 2022, he ventured into professional wrestling with WWE, competed in NXT, and even sought a spot on the Buffalo Bills as a football player despite having no previous organized football experience. After not making the team, he returned to Minnesota to continue his wrestling career.

In a dramatic turn of events, Steveson entered the third period leading 3-2 but saw his advantage vanish as Hendrickson scored just before the final buzzer, igniting cheers from the audience.

The championships also witnessed Penn State achieve a remarkable feat, as they captured their 12th men’s Division I wrestling national title, marking a historic fourth consecutive win under the guidance of coach Cael Sanderson. Only Iowa's Dan Gable has achieved more with 15 titles.

Carter Starocci made history as well, securing an unprecedented fifth national title by defeating Northern Iowa's Parker Keckeisen 4-3 in the 184-pound final. While celebrating his success, Starocci emphasized the importance of continuous growth: 'It's always cool, but this is all just preparation for the next thing.'

Penn State showcased their dominance by becoming only the second program ever to have ten All-Americans in a single season, gathering an impressive 177 points—an increase from their already record-setting score last year. Along with Hendrickson, other tournament highlights included Mitchell Mesenbrink’s 8-2 victory over Iowa's Michael Caliendo in the 165-pound final, ending his season undefeated.

Nebraska and Iowa were also strong competitors, with Nebraska finishing second with 117 points, showcasing their best tournament performance ever, while Iowa came in fourth with a total of 81 points.

As fans celebrate these incredible moments, the wrestling community reflects on the inspiring stories and intense rivalries that have unfolded, anticipating what’s to come in the next season. The championship has proven once again that in the world of wrestling, anything can happen!