Following his incredible victory over Olympic champion Gable Steveson in the 2025 NCAA Wrestling National Championship finals, Wyatt Hendrickson has been awarded another prestigious honor.
This Monday, Hendrickson received the Hodge Trophy, an annual award recognizing the best wrestler in college wrestling. The Oklahoma State heavyweight claimed the 2025 title. Named in honor of the legendary Dan Hodge, this trophy is considered wrestling`s equivalent to football`s Heisman Trophy, and previous recipients include notable wrestlers like Ben Askren and Bo Nickal.
Hendrickson was selected for the award over other exceptional athletes, including Penn State`s Carter Starocci. Starocci recently made history as the first, and potentially only, five-time National Champion wrestler after winning his final match in the 184-pound weight class. Starocci`s fifth championship was made possible by an additional year of eligibility granted to wrestlers due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Although Starocci`s unprecedented accomplishment is remarkable, Hendrickson`s stunning upset victory, considered one of the biggest in college sports history, significantly contributed to his selection as the nation`s best wrestler.
Being an active member of the Air Force, Hendrickson was initially ineligible for the extra year of eligibility offered to other athletes. Consequently, he transferred to Oklahoma State and began training under the guidance of 2020 Olympic gold medalist David Taylor.
After an impressive senior season, Hendrickson reached the 285-pound finals. There he faced Steveson, a University of Minnesota wrestling star, two-time National Champion, and two-time Hodge Trophy recipient, who had not conceded a single takedown throughout the entire season.
However, this changed dramatically in the final minute of the match. Hendrickson secured a leg takedown, bringing Steveson to the mat for a three-point score, ultimately winning the match 5-4 in a thrilling finish.
Recalling the decisive moment, Hendrickson stated, “As soon as I took him down, I was determined he wasn`t getting back up. I knew I was winning the match. It was over, but I still had to execute. It was a tense 10 to 15 seconds, but I was resolute. He wasn`t getting up; I was finishing it right then and there.”
This victory secured Hendrickson both the National Championship and the Hodge Trophy. He is now setting his sights on the next phase of his career, aiming for a spot on the 2028 Olympic team and a potential future rematch with Steveson.
“Now there`s a new major goal,” Hendrickson commented. “This year, it was to become a National Champion. Now, the overarching goal for the coming years is to become an Olympic champion.”
