In one of the biggest upsets in NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships history, Wyatt Hendrickson from Oklahoma State triumphed over Minnesota’s Gable Steveson, taking the heavyweight final with a score of 5-4 on March 22, 2025. Steveson—an accomplished wrestler with a prestigious record, including two NCAA national titles, an Olympic gold medal from Tokyo 2021, and experience as a WWE wrestler—had the upper hand for most of the match. He initially secured a three-point advantage and was leading 4-2 with just 30 seconds remaining in the final round. However, Hendrickson performed a stunning three-point takedown, marking not just a stunning comeback but also Steveson’s only conceded takedown of the entire season.
This victory was particularly momentous as Steveson had not lost a match since 2019, a streak that encompassed 73 matches, and the last time the two faced each other, Steveson had dominated with an 18-2 victory over Hendrickson. After the match, an elated Hendrickson expressed his deep faith in God, saying, “God gifted me. All week I’ve been looking at David and Goliath, and no one thought David could take down Goliath, but I did.” He credited his spiritual preparation for the match to a sermon shared with him by an OSU team doctor, saying, “David had a vision of victory…”
Hendrickson, a native of Newton, Kansas, transferred to Oklahoma State University after four years at the Air Force Academy and completed his final year with an undefeated record of 30-0, making him the first OSU heavyweight to win an NCAA national title since 2005. His post-victory speech included gratitude towards his family and his faith. Wearing a shirt that read, “JESUS — More Than a Conqueror” and draped in the American flag, which he presented to U.S. President Donald Trump—who was in attendance—Hendrickson received recognition beyond the wrestling mat. The phrase on his shirt references Romans 8:37.
Reflecting on his achievement the day after the competition, Hendrickson posted on social media, affirming his belief that “nothing is impossible when you have God by your side.” His ambition continues towards the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, where he aims to compete in wrestling, fulfilling his five-year commitment to the Air Force after his athletic career.
Amidst the sports fervor, another significant event is on the horizon as Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni and player Cooper DeJean prepare to speak at a faith-based event in May 2025 titled “Life Surge” at the Wells Fargo Center. The event invites local Christians to connect under the theme of overcoming challenges through faith. It envisions encouraging attendees to align their life’s purpose with God’s call, fostering community and financial acumen for impactful living.
Sirianni, who publicly acknowledged his faith post-Super Bowl win, noted, “God has blessed us very much. He gave us all the talents to be here… Thank you Jesus.” This public acknowledgment came during a time when some began to notice an inflection point in his openness regarding spirituality, spurred perhaps by the struggles of the previous seasons.
Life Surge events aim to mobilize thousands, combining personal growth and financial resource management for Kingdom impact, featuring other notable participants like Tim Tebow and Urban Meyer.
The intersection of sports and faith is evident as both Hendrickson's triumph and the forthcoming Life Surge convention draw parallels between personal belief and achieving excellence in their respective realms. Not only do these figures inspire through athletic excellence, but they also spark discussions on faith's role in resilience and reaching goals.
As Hendrickson continues to strive for Olympic success and as local athletes step into the spotlight for this meaningful event, it’s apparent that faith influences the journey in both the wrestling ring and the football field.
