Wyatt Hendrickson Reflects on Trump’s Support for Wrestling at NCAA Championships

Wyatt Hendrickson Reflects on Trump’s Support for Wrestling at NCAA Championships

Oklahoma State Cowboys wrestler Wyatt Hendrickson recently shared his thoughts on the significance of President Donald Trump’s attendance at the NCAA championships. This major event, held over the weekend, marked an important moment for Hendrickson and the sport of wrestling.

In a stunning display of skill, Hendrickson achieved a historic upset in the 285-pound weight class when he defeated Minnesota’s Gable Steveson. The match drew significant attention, not only due to its competitive nature but also because it occurred in the presence of high-profile figures such as President Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk.

During his appearance on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show,” Hendrickson emphasized that he did not feel any additional pressure competing with the president in attendance. He articulated that Trump’s presence served as a reflection of the growing popularity of wrestling within the United States.

“I think I’ve got enough grasp on the sport that I’m able to kind of take myself out of the situation and wrestle for myself, my family, and my team,” Hendrickson explained. “If you asked me that five years ago, I would have been out there freaking out like ‘Oh my gosh, my boss is watching me,’ but I was just really blessed to go out there and wrestle freely. It was a pretty exciting moment when after that match I walked over there and showed him my respect because that’s my boss, man.”

Hendrickson further elaborated on the impact of the president’s presence at the event, saying, “The Commander-in-Chief, President Trump, just the fact that he was there supporting the great sport of wrestling is just an attribute to how awesome a sport this is. It’s growing, and I think a lot of people that originally wouldn’t have watched the sport are now maybe looking into it like ‘Oh, what’s going on here.’” This sentiment highlights wrestling’s increasing visibility and potential for growth in mainstream culture.

After his match, Hendrickson expressed his surprise at Elon Musk’s presence during the championships. He stated, “One thing I didn’t know, I didn’t know that Elon Musk was there. So that was a surprise; as soon as I went back, I was shaking his hand and I was like, ‘Oh, what’s up Elon? Good to see you here, too,’ so that kind of caught me off guard. That’s pretty cool.” This interaction adds a layer of excitement and intrigue to an already significant event.

Hendrickson is not only a talented athlete but also a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. His commitment to both wrestling and his military career is admirable. Earlier this week, he shared insights into his aspirations during an appearance on America’s Newsroom.

“When I was looking at wrestling in college, I wanted to look at more than just that, what my career is going to look like,” he said. “I kind of realized I’ve always been super-patriotic, and I have a heart to serve. The Air Force Academy was a pretty easy pick for me, and it’s because of the Air Force that I’m able to be at grad school wrestling at Oklahoma State University.”

Hendrickson highlighted the limitless opportunities that come with being part of the Air Force, stating, “This is just part of the steppingstone. I’ll be able to wrestle for a couple of years. I’ll now be able to transition into my job and, you know, be able to serve this great country to the best of my ability.” His dedication to service while excelling in wrestling demonstrates a remarkable balance between sport and duty.

As wrestling gains national attention, the presence of public figures like President Trump and Elon Musk may indeed influence more viewers to engage with the sport. Hendrickson’s success, characterized by resilience and a commitment to excellence, reflects the potential for wrestling to attract a broader audience.

Fox News’ Ryan Canfield contributed to this report.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.