Everyone knows the name Wyatt Hendrickson now. After that seismic upset over Gable Steveson in the 2025 NCAA finals—arguably the biggest shocker in the history of college wrestling—Hendrickson became a household name. You’ve probably seen the highlights of him in the Oklahoma State orange or the Air Force blue, pinning guys like it’s a hobby. But long before he was a 2nd Lieutenant and a Hodge Trophy winner, he was just a kid in Kansas trying to figure out if he even liked wrestling more than football.
Honestly, the Wyatt Hendrickson high school years are where the "pinner" DNA actually formed. It wasn't always a straight line to the top. People look at his college stats and assume he was some untouchable prodigy from day one. He wasn't.
The Newton Railroader Era
Wyatt grew up in Newton, Kansas. If you aren't familiar with the area, it's a place where wrestling is a way of life, but even there, Wyatt had to earn his keep. He attended Newton High School, where he lettered all four years. But here’s the kicker: his freshman year was... well, human.
Most people don't realize he didn't even qualify for the state tournament as a freshman. Think about that. The guy who would eventually end Gable Steveson’s 70-match win streak couldn't make the state bracket in 9th grade. He was split-focus back then, putting a ton of energy into football. He played outside linebacker and running back for the Railroaders. You can still find his old MaxPreps football bio if you dig deep enough—6'0", 182 pounds. He was a decent athlete, but he wasn't "The Wyatt Hendrickson" yet.
The Turning Point
Sophomore year changed everything. He decided to lock in on the mat. He went from not qualifying for state to finishing second. That’s a massive jump. By the time he was a junior and senior, he had transformed into a monster.
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He ended his run at Newton High as a two-time Kansas state champion and a three-time finalist.
Beyond the State Borders
While the Kansas state titles are impressive, it was the national circuit where he really started turning heads. He wasn't just a "big fish in a small pond." Wyatt became a four-time All-American at the Fargo national championships, competing in both freestyle and Greco-Roman.
He also picked up a gold letter for academics as a senior. He wasn't just a meathead. He was smart. That academic discipline is likely why he ended up taking the path he did—choosing the Air Force Academy over more traditional wrestling powerhouses that were knocking on his door.
- NHSCA Senior National Champion
- FloNationals Champion
- Super 32 Finalist
- 2019 Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award winner
That Dave Schultz award is a big deal. It's not just about wins; it's about character, citizenship, and academic success. It basically signaled that he was the total package.
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The Recruitment "Mistake"
There’s a legendary story about his recruitment that most fans love. Because he grew up as the grandson of a veteran, he always respected the military, but he didn't necessarily see himself there. When the first recruitment letter from the Air Force Academy showed up, he reportedly threw it in the trash.
He wanted to be a pilot, sure, but the "military academy" life is a grind. It was his father, Todd, who told him to fish that letter back out. If he hadn't, the history of NCAA wrestling would look very different today.
Why the High School Years Mattered
In high school, Wyatt wasn't a heavyweight. He was much lighter, which gave him the agility and "scrambling" ability of a middleweight. When he finally grew into a full-sized heavyweight (and then some), he kept those instincts. That’s why his style is so fun to watch. He doesn't just push people around; he moves like a guy fifty pounds lighter.
He finished his high school career ranked as the #3 recruit in the country for his weight class by FloWrestling. The potential was there, but he had to build the frame to match it.
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What You Can Learn from Wyatt’s Path
If you're a high school athlete or a coach, Wyatt’s story is a blueprint.
- The "Freshman Fail" isn't final. Not qualifying for state didn't stop him from becoming the best in the world.
- Multi-sport backgrounds help. His time as a linebacker gave him the explosiveness that many "pure" wrestlers lack.
- Academics are the "in." Being a "gold letter" student opened the door to the Air Force Academy, which eventually led him to the World Class Athlete Program and his final, perfect season at Oklahoma State.
If you want to follow in those footsteps, start by looking at your local wrestling clubs. Wyatt didn't just get good at Newton High; he traveled to the biggest tournaments in the country (Fargo, Super 32) to see where he stood.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check out the USA Wrestling regional schedules if you're a young wrestler. To reach the level Wyatt did, you have to get out of your comfort zone and compete in freestyle and Greco-Roman during the off-season. That's where he developed the "upper body" strength that made him the most dominant pinner in NCAA history.