In a dramatic and historic finish at the NCAA Wrestling Championships in Philadelphia, Oklahoma State heavyweight Wyatt Hendrickson achieved an astonishing upset against Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson.
With only 20 seconds remaining in the championship match, Hendrickson executed a crucial 3-point takedown and thwarted Steveson’s reversal attempt, securing the NCAA title. The Wells Fargo Center erupted in excitement as his coaches rushed the mat to celebrate the victory.
Following his triumph, Hendrickson, a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, draped himself in the American flag and saluted former President Donald Trump, who was present in the audience.
Trump responded with applause and a raised fist, later sharing a brief embrace with the champion.
Hendrickson shared in a post-match interview, “He said he’s very proud of me. That’s the Commander in Chief. I’m very proud of that. He came here to support his troops. I put on a show for him. I won him that national title.”
Trump’s attendance at the event, his second in three years, sparked a lively reaction from the crowd. Arriving around 7 p.m. ET, he waved and pumped his fists, receiving a largely enthusiastic welcome despite a few boos, which were swiftly overshadowed by chants of “USA.”
Accompanying him were prominent figures including Elon Musk, Congressman Jim Jordan, Senator Dave McCormick and his wife Dina Powell, Trump campaign chief Susie Wiles, and OutKick founder Clay Travis.
