Mar 22, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Wyatt Hendrickson of the Oklahoma State Cowboys wrestles defeating Gable Steveson of the Minnesota Golden Gophers during the Division I Men's Wrestling Championship held at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images Eric Hartline-Imagn Images

Gable Steveson loses NCAA title in final seconds: 'Biggest upset in history'

Originally posted on Minnesota Golden Gophers on SI
By Joe Nelson | Last updated Mar 23, 2025 12:36 AM ET

Gable Steveson, the heavy favorite to win a third career NCAA championship, was stunned in the final seconds of the heavyweight championship match by Oklahoma State's Wyatt Hendrickson on Saturday night.

"WYATT HENDRICKSON JUST BEAT GABLE STEVESON!!!!!" #NCAAWrestling x ESPN/ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/3y22fGCUHw
— NCAA Wrestling (@NCAAWrestling) March 23, 2025

Steveson, the undefeated Apple Valley, Minn. native who won national titles in 2021 and 2022, along with winning gold medal at Tokyo Olympics, was leading 4-2 with 30 seconds to go when Hendrickson shot for Steveson's legs and was able to power him backwards for a three-point takedown.

The ESPN announcers were going crazy during the last 30 seconds.

"Oh my gosh, can you believe this?!" play-by-play man Shawn Kenney shouted. "The biggest upset in the history of the NCAA! Could this be it?! Yes! He has done it!"

The loss ended Steveson's 70-match college win streak, and Hendricks' last-second takedown was the only time Steveson was taken down all season.

“I told myself, ‘I know I can do this,’ ” Hendrickson said on ESPN. “God gifted me. All week I’ve been looking at David and Goliath, and no one thought David could take down Goliath. But I did.”

Steveson finished the season 18-1 and ended his college career at Minnesota with a record of 103 wins and only three losses.

This article first appeared on Minnesota Golden Gophers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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