Wyatt Hendrickson`s incredible victory over Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson at the 2025 NCAA Wrestling National Championships has earned him another esteemed honor.
Hendrickson was awarded the Hodge Trophy on Monday, recognizing him as the best college wrestler of the year. The Oklahoma State heavyweight wrestler secured this prestigious award for 2025. Named in honor of the legendary Dan Hodge, this trophy is wrestling`s equivalent to football`s Heisman Trophy, with past recipients including renowned wrestlers like Ben Askren and Bo Nickal.
Hendrickson was chosen over Carter Starocci from Penn State, another exceptional wrestler. Starocci made history by becoming the first, and possibly only, five-time National Champion wrestler after winning his final match in the 184-pound category. Starocci`s fifth championship was made possible due to an additional year of eligibility granted to wrestlers because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
While Starocci`s unprecedented achievement is remarkable, Hendrickson`s monumental upset, considered one of the biggest in college sports history, propelled him to the title of the nation`s best wrestler.
Hendrickson, a member of the Air Force, was initially ineligible for the extra year of eligibility as it wasn`t extended to service academy members. He then transferred to Oklahoma State and was coached by David Taylor, a 2020 Olympic gold medalist.
Following an impressive senior season, Hendrickson advanced to the 285-pound finals. His opponent was Steveson, the University of Minnesota star, a two-time National Champion, and a two-time Hodge Trophy winner who had not conceded a takedown all season.
However, with less than a minute remaining in the final period, Hendrickson executed a leg snatch, taking Steveson down for a crucial three-point takedown. This secured him a dramatic 5-4 victory.
“I remember as soon as I took him down, I decided he wasn`t getting back up,” Hendrickson told MMA Fighting about the final moments. “I told myself I was winning this match. It was decided, but I still had to execute. It was a tense 10 to 15 seconds, but I was determined. He wasn`t getting up. I was finishing it right there, right now.”
This victory crowned Hendrickson as National Champion and Hodge Trophy winner as he sets his sights on the next phase of his career: aiming for the 2028 Olympic team and a potential rematch with Steveson.
“Now there’s a new major goal,” Hendrickson stated. “This year, it was to become a National Champion – but now, the overarching goal for the next few years is to become an Olympic champion.”
