“I think he kind of took the David versus Goliath approach there.” That’s how Bo Bassett described Wyatt Hendrickson’s stunning victory at the 2025 NCAA Championships, where the Air Force standout pulled off what many thought was impossible. Hendrickson wasn’t just facing a wrestler; he was up against a generational talent, a man who had dominated the sport at every level, be it NCAA or the Olympics. So, how did Hendrickson manage to claim victory over the man who had remained undefeated since 2019 on the day of their showdown? What could have been his mantra? Wrestling prodigy Bo Bassett weighed in on the issue during his latest appearance at the Wrestling Mindset.
According to the Pennsylvania native, it all boils down to Hendrickson’s belief in himself. However intimidating the task of wrestling the two-time Dan Hodge Trophy winner may sound, nothing can truly beat one’s unconditional belief in themselves.”He believed in himself, and when you believe in yourself, anything can happen”. Not a word of lie there by Bo Bassett. Gable Steveson thoroughly dominated most of the matchup, but Hendrickson’s faith and grit led him to score a takedown in the last minute, thus emerging victorious by a 5-4! The OSU wrestler became the first from his team to lift an NCAA heavyweight title since Steve Mocco in 2005! Bassett was full of praise for Hendrickson, not just for the wrestler he is, but also as a person off the mat!
“Wyatt Hendrickson is one of the coolest dudes I’ve ever met in the wrestling community,” Bassett shared. The wrestling prodigy shared how he thinks the NCAA heavyweight champion is simply an “awesome person”. What’s more, the teenage wrestler recollected having met Hendrickson on at least two different occasions. The two met during Bassett’s visit to Oklahoma State and also at the OTC, where Bo Bassett would train. While his off-mat persona sweetens the deal for his admirers, of real interest is Hendrickson’s performance on the mat, which left even Bassett at a loss for words.
Such was the turn of events that Bassett couldn’t help acknowledge the sheer unpredictability of the match, “wrestling is a sport where anything can happen The young wrestler did not attempt to hide his excitement while recollecting the showdown at Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center. “That last match was probably the best one.” The match between Gable Steveson and Wyatt Hendrickson ought to be an exhilarating one, given how close it was!
The host of the Wrestling Mindset chimed in, stating that Steveson, by habit, had almost won. But then, not fate had other plans, “Hats off to Gable too because he almost took them down four times.” With such a trajectory, it is evident that the match was nothing short of legendary from start to end. Even those of us who weren’t present among the audience could feel the heat from a distance. Now with his future secured, thanks to a historic win, what lies ahead for OSU’s Wyatt Hendrickson?
Hendrickson’s triumph, Olympic aspirations, and the legacy of OSU coaching
While Gable Steveson continues to make headlines with talks of an MMA-UFC debut, Wyatt Hendrickson is carving his own path in wrestling. His shocking NCAA Championship victory over the Olympic gold medalist not only earned him his first national title but also cemented his status as a rising force in the sport. Adding to the moment’s grandeur, Hendrickson received recognition from President Donald Trump, who was in attendance. Now, with his confidence at an all-time high, the Air Force Academy standout has set his sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, determined to take his success to the next level.
In an interview with Pat McAfee, Hendrickson made his ambitions clear. “Absolutely. Yeah. It feels great to fly that flag here, but you know, LA 2028—that’s right around the corner. I can already imagine comparing the clips years from now, with that American flag around my back once again. That’s the ultimate goal right now.” His journey to the top was far from easy—after two third-place finishes in 2023 and 2024, he finally reached the NCAA mountaintop in 2025. With his championship run complete, all eyes are now on his transition to the international stage, where he hopes to carry his dominance beyond college wrestling.
Meanwhile, Oklahoma State’s wrestling legacy continues to evolve, as David Taylor reflected on his coaching journey during an episode of The Ariel Helwani Show. Discussing the challenge of stepping into a program with such deep roots, Taylor remarked, “Uh, I mean, I think when it came to coaching, you know, the, the, the places that I would have been interested in just had established options.” His mention of John Smith, OSU’s legendary coach for 33 years, highlighted the stability and dominance of the Cowboys’ program, which secured five NCAA team championships and produced over 150 All-Americans under Smith’s leadership. Now, as OSU transitions to a new era, Taylor finds himself in an unexpected position, tasked with upholding one of the most storied traditions in college wrestling history.
The post Bo Bassett Reveals Honest Thoughts About Wyatt Hendrickson as Iowa Recruit Drops Personal Take Over Gable Steveson Win appeared first on EssentiallySports.