United States Air Force 2nd Lieutenant Wyatt Hendrickson stopped to salute President Donald Trump, his commander in chief, just after he won his NCAA wrestling championship.
Hendrickson could be seen just after his win turning to President Trump, snapping to the position of attention, and rendering a salute. Trump, who was attending the event and seated in the front row, raised his fist in salute to Hendrickson.
Wyatt Hendrickson — a second lieutenant in the @usairforce — salutes President Donald J. Trump after winning an @NCAAWrestling national championship 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/KK4ngwH7mW
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 23, 2025
The announcers could be heard referring to Hendrickson as “Captain America,” laughing as the Air Force LT draped himself in an American flag. “I can’t believe it,” one said, and another added, “My jaw is on the floor.”
Hendrickson’s win against Olympic champion Gable Steveson came after he delivered a stunning takedown — the only takedown Steveson allowed the entire season — in the final moments of the match, coming from behind to win the heavyweight title.
“All the matches were terrific last night, but they saved the best for last! Wyatt Hendrickson, an Air Force Academy graduate, pulled off a huge upset — something I know a little bit about — beating an Olympic champion. When I say when I watch wrestling, I see America — this is what I’m talking about,” Senator David McCormick (R-PA) commented.
All the matches were terrific last night, but they saved the best for last! Wyatt Hendrickson, an Air Force Academy graduate, pulled off a huge upset – something I know a little bit about – beating an Olympic champion.
When I say when I watch wrestling, I see America – this is… https://t.co/GIyeYTyNg6 pic.twitter.com/L8WAAaginU
— Senator Dave McCormick (@SenMcCormickPA) March 23, 2025
Hendrickson, who wrestles for Oklahoma State University, made an appearance Monday morning on Fox News and told “America’s Newsroom” anchor Bill Hemmer about how “special” it was to have Trump in the audience when he won the title.
“That’s pretty special, I gotta be very honest with you,” he said. “That is very special, you know when we talk about the final boss — like that is the boss of my boss of my boss, so, you know, having him be there and support the great sport of wrestling and be able to watch me have a historic moment like that, I mean, that’s something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
WATCH:
Oklahoma State wrestler and Air Force Second Lieutenant Wyatt Hendrickson on winning the national championship with President Trump watching: “Having him be there and support the great sport of wrestling and be able to watch me have a historic moment like that — that’s something… pic.twitter.com/qg4LE8MNsX
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) March 24, 2025
