Newton native stuns Olympic gold medalist to win NCAA wrestling 285pound title
Mar 24, 2025
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) - A Newton native pulled off what is being called the greatest upset in NCAA wrestling.
President Donald Trump, greets Oklahoma State's Wyatt Hendrickson reacts after he defeated Minnesota's Gable Steveson during a 285-pound match in the finals at the NCAA wrestling champions
hip, Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Wyatt Hendrickson, a wrestler for Oklahoma State, stunned Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson 5-4 in the heavyweight final at the NCAA men's wrestling championships on Saturday.
Hendrickson, a transfer from Air Force, trailed in the last match of the evening until scoring on a takedown in the final minute — the only takedown Steveson allowed all season.
"It's bigger than worlds, Olympics, anything," an emotional Hendrickson said moments after the win.
Hendrickson saluted Trump after his victory. With a United States flag draped over his shoulders, he then walked over and shook Trump's hand and hugged him as part of his celebration.
Nearly 50,000 people came to Wichita for the NCAA tournament
Trump attended the event, just as he did as a candidate in 2023 when the tournament was in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
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