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USA Olympic Gold Medalist Stunned in ‘Craziest Ending‘ in NCAA History

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Antonio G Losada | Last updated Mar 23, 2025 3:24 AM ET

Senior wrestler Wyatt Hendrickson pulled off what many are calling the greatest upset in NCAA wrestling history.

The Oklahoma State performer defeated Olympic gold medalist and two-time NCAA champion Gable Steveson 5-4 in the heavyweight final Saturday night in Philadelphia.

Trailing 4-2 late in the third period, Hendrickson shot in for a final takedown attempt and powered through Steveson—who hadn’t surrendered a takedown all season—to land the decisive points.

“This was the craziest ending in NCAA wrestling history,” UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier wrote on X.

"THIS IS THE CRAZIEST MOMENT IN NCAA HISTORY...OH MY GOODNESS!!!"#NCAAWrestling x ESPN/ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/PSMJ3ZKKZx
— NCAA Wrestling (@NCAAWrestling) March 23, 2025

The match was heated before it even began with Steveson entering the stage to The Notorious B.I.G.'s “Big Poppa,” while Hendrickson walked out carrying the American flag to “Copperhead Road.”

Steveson stared him down. Hendrickson didn’t blink.

“It didn’t matter who was in front of me,” Hendrickson said after the match. “I set a goal to be the champion.

”To be the best, you’ve got to beat the best—and I did.”

YOU JUST GOTTA BELIEVE BABY

pic.twitter.com/LIfSVDVIRP
— OSU Cowboy Wrestling (@CowboyWrestling) March 23, 2025

The win capped an undefeated season for Hendrickson and sealed his first national title. His last-second takedown broke Steveson’s unbeaten streak and turned a dominant season into a career-defining loss.

"It's bigger than worlds, Olympics, anything," Hendrickson said after the win.

Steveson was aiming at winning his third national title entering Saturday's event carrying a mammoth 70-match winning streak and with stints with the WWE and NXT. He already beat Hendrickson in 2021, but not this time.

Meanwhile, Hendrickson became the first OSU wrestler to hoist the NCAA title at heavyweight in 20 years, taking the baton from Steve Mocco.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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