Wyatt Hendrickson salutes Trump after win at NCAA Wrestling Championships

Oklahoma State Cowboys wreststun Wyatt Hendrickson Groets President Donald Trump On Saturday night after his historic upset of Minnesota’s Gable Steveson within the 285-pound division on the NCAA Wrestling Championships.

Hendrickson, a second lieutenant on the American Air Pressure, pointed to the president and gave him a greeting when he received the American flag. Trump waved together with his fist as help. He then shook Trump’s hand and hugged him as a part of his social gathering.

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Wyatt Hendrickson of Oklahoma State reacts after beating Minnesota’s Gable Steveson on the NCAA Wrestling Championship, Saturday 22 March 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photograph/Matt Rourke)

“It is greater than worlds, Olympic Video games, every little thing,” mentioned Hendrickson.

The victory was thought-about one of many best disturbances within the NCAA thrust historical past. Steveson was on the lookout for his third nationwide title within the midst of a profitable streak of 70 video games. He received the nationwide titles in 2021 and 2022 earlier than taking a yr off in 2023 to pursue the NFL and a WWE profession. He got here again for the 2024 season.

Steveson gave up a Takedown with 20 seconds within the sport. Then Hendrickson scored once more earlier than the time handed. The group and the broadcasters have been surprised.

Hendrickson touched his mentality and went into the sport and the way his religion performed a job in his victory.

“I believe it should take just a few extra days for the feelings to settle. However first I simply wish to thank my household. I wish to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ for blessing me,” he mentioned, by ASAP Sport. “In that final shot I used to be sitting on that leg and there was a bit further push behind me to get that branchedown. I do not assume that is by probability.

“In the beginning of the week, Brandon Mason, our physician, we went to Life Church and he was, like,” Hey, boys nice sermon. ” I listened to the sermon.

Hendrickson urged that he focused on that story, as a result of Steveson was the favourite to win.

President Donald Trump, greets the Wyatt Hendrickson of Oklahoma State after he had defeated Minnesota’s Gable Steveson on the NCAA Wrestling Championship, Saturday 22 March 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photograph/Matt Rourke)

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“I carried that with me all week. Though he went after Goliath and everybody was,” this can’t be prepared, “he had a spirit of a champion, he had a imaginative and prescient of victory. Within the run -up to this match I knew that my head needed to be in the precise place if I wished to be on the high.

“After I went outdoors, I used to be courageous. And my power was – it labored. I used to be struggling that competitors. I used to be affected person. I went inside with the precise mindset. And of the bat I used to be, like:” This won’t be a straightforward match. ” Instantly subsequent to the start it was on the level.

“He took me as soon as. However I took it when it mattered. “

Hendrickson mentioned he’s planning to serve the Air Pressure for the subsequent 20 years and is at present an officer of acquisitions. He mentioned he’s within the athlete’s Athlete program, so he may battle this yr.

“From the very starting I knew that I wished to show the military into my profession, which was clear why I selected the Air Pressure Academy, I regarded greater than struggling, I checked out my profession objectives, life objectives,” he added. “I may attain everybody on the Air Pressure Academy. Struggling within the Massive 12. Get a world -class course, which is a part of one thing greater than myself.

Wyatt Hendrickson van Oklahoma State, on the precise, will compete towards the Gable Steveson of Minnesota, Saturday 22 March 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photograph/Matt Rourke)

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“I’ll nonetheless battle three extra after which I’ll do it – I intend to remain 20. Sure, I intend to make it a profession. As quickly as I completed struggling, doing my requirement, however it should take about 9 years. I’m planning, if it’s not damaged, it would not should be solved.”

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