Oklahoma State wrestler Wyatt Hendrickson celebrated his unexpected triumph at the NCAA Wrestling Championship with a salute to former President Donald Trump, who was seated mat-side for the intense showdown.
Hendrickson, a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force and former standout at the Air Force Academy, pulled off a shocking 5-3 victory over Minnesota’s Gable Steveson to claim the heavyweight title. As the final seconds ticked away, a roaring crowd inside Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center erupted with chants of “USA! USA!”
Draped in the American flag, Hendrickson acknowledged Trump with a salute before shaking hands and sharing a brief embrace with the 47th president.
A Patriotic Moment on Wrestling’s Biggest Stage
Following his victory, Hendrickson reflected on the moment and his exchange with Trump.
“He told me he was proud of me,” the 24-year-old shared in a post-match interview. “I know he came to support his troops, and I wanted to put on a show for him. Winning this national title meant everything.”
Trump attended the event alongside Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), a former NCAA wrestling champion.
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The Road to an NCAA Championship
Nicknamed “Captain America” for his accomplishments at the Air Force Academy, Hendrickson became an All-American and one of the nation’s top wrestlers. However, due to military academy regulations, he could not use his fifth year of eligibility at Air Force. He was granted permission to transfer, ultimately joining Oklahoma State to finish his collegiate career.
Facing off against Steveson—a two-time NCAA champion and Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling—Hendrickson found himself trailing 3-2 with just 25 seconds left. Seizing the moment, he executed a decisive takedown, gaining control of Steveson’s right leg and forcing him toward the edge of the mat. The three-point move secured Hendrickson’s championship win.
Balancing Wrestling and Military Service
Although he remains an active-duty officer, Hendrickson won’t immediately transition into full-time military service. The Air Force has granted him the opportunity to stay in Stillwater, Oklahoma, to train with the Cowboy RTC in pursuit of a spot on the 2028 Olympic team.
“This is just one step in my journey,” Hendrickson said. “I plan to make a career in the military no matter what, but right now, I have unfinished business in wrestling.
