Wyatt Hendrickson, a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force who has competed under the nickname “Captain America,” pulled off what is being hailed as the biggest upset in NCAA wrestling history.

And the first thing he did was turn and salute President Donald Trump, who was in attendance at the NCAA wrestling championships in Philadelphia on Saturday.

The event was pure Americana from the start, with Trump's arrival igniting a frenzy among the crowd.

🚨 WATCH: President Trump enters the Wells Fargo Center arena for the Division I NCAA wrestling championships pic.twitter.com/AjfVVLP3A6

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 22, 2025

Hendrickson, who now competes for Oklahoma State, took on Minnesota’s Gable Steveson in a heavyweight championship match for the main event. 

Steveson is a two-time national champion and the 2020 Olympic gold medalist in the men’s freestyle 125kg class. With control of the match and a 3-2 lead with just 25 seconds remaining, a third title seemed inevitable. That is until Hendrickson was awarded a 3-point takedown and subdued the champ as the clock ran out.

A stunning victory, already being hailed as the biggest upset in wrestling history. If this doesn't give you chills then I don't know what's running through your veins, but it ain't blood.

285 NCAA Final 🏆: Wyatt Hendrickson (OSU) defeats Olympic Champion Gable Steveson (Minnesota) to win the national title!!!! Biggest Upset in NCAA History!!!!! pic.twitter.com/Q2HTNJ8d4Z

— Saturday Night Lights (@WrestlingSNL) March 23, 2025

READ MORE: Kane Pushes for Bout With ‘Happy Hands’ Walz, Says Linda McMahon Was Tougher, Cheers Trump 2.0

Essex Files: Trump Champions Greatness As He Attends the NCAA Wrestling Tournament

In the immediate aftermath, Hendrickson gathered himself, found President Trump in the crowd, pointed to him, and then delivered an honorable salute to the Commander-in-Chief.

In return, Trump acknowledged the tremendous victory with a fist pump and a nod.

The crowd all the while chanted, “USA, USA!”

Hendrickson then walked to the President's seat draped in the American flag, where he embraced Trump and Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK).

Wyatt Hendrickson, US Air Force Second Lieutenant. 🇺🇸

(2) Hendrickson salutes President @realDonaldTrump after upsetting (1) Gable Steveson and claiming the heavyweight national title.#NCAAWrestling x 🎥 ESPN/ESPN+ / @CowboyWrestling pic.twitter.com/OR3uRiNwXp

— NCAA Wrestling (@NCAAWrestling) March 23, 2025

When an ESPN reporter asked him afterward what the President had said to him, Hendrickson replied, “He said he was very proud of me."

“He came here to support his troops. I put on a show for him, and I wanted that national title,” the 24-year-old added.

In a post-match interview, Hendrickson continued to beam over the President's attendance at the NCAA wrestling championships.

“Commander in chief right there, baby!" he said. "I was really excited to have him here."

This was Hendrickson's fifth year of eligibility, and his defeat of Steveson marked his final collegiate match. What a way to go out!

The new champ will now train as "Captain America" for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. Upon retiring from wrestling, he will begin a five-year mandatory commitment to the Air Force.

“I’m gonna make a career out of the military regardless,” Hendrickson told the Oklahoma State athletics blog, Pistols Firing, last year. “This is just part of the journey for me.”

All of America is proud of you, sir. We can't wait to see where your journey leads.

Help RedState continue to tell the truth about the Trump administration's accomplishments as we continue to usher in the Golden Era of America. Join RedState’s VIP and use promo code FIGHT to get 60% off your membership today.