Behaving Like a Champion Before Becoming One

Wyatt Hendrickson’s journey to Oklahoma State University is a captivating tale of ambition, resilience, and always behaving like a champion.

He was born in Newton, Kansas, a small town nestled in the heart of the Midwest. Growing up in a close-knit community, he was instilled with the values of hard work, integrity, and a passion for learning from a young age. His parents, both educators, nurtured his curiosity and encouraged him to pursue his dreams—no matter how lofty they seemed.

Wyatt’s father, Todd, once had aspirations of attending the Naval Academy, but he was denied admission due to an eye disease. Years later, when Wyatt tossed his Air Force Academy letter in the trash, it was Todd who pulled it out and began explaining to his son the benefits of attending a military academy.

“He was just a wealth of knowledge,” Wyatt said of his father. “Over the next year or two, I began to understand the value. It’s not that they throw you a rifle and there you go.”

“I wanted to come to Oklahoma State University. I took an unofficial visit here. But after my junior year, I realized I want to serve this great country. I want to be part of something bigger than myself.”

At the Air Force Academy, Hendrickson could still wrestle in the Big 12 Conference while receiving all the benefits the Academy offers.

“It’s a world-class education, a guaranteed job,” he said. “I’m looking at my life in 10 years, and that’s what I want. This is the path to take.”

Thanks to COVID eligibility rules and flexibility from the Air Force, Hendrickson was eventually able to fulfill his dream of transferring to Oklahoma State and wrestling under Head Coach David Taylor. Before his first practice, Taylor sent him a simple text message: “Wyatt Hendrickson. National Champion.”

Recently, in front of a sold-out crowd and the President of the United States, Hendrickson accomplished what Coach Taylor had envisioned—defeating Olympic champion and Minnesota’s top-seeded Gable Steveson with 18 seconds left and holding on for a 5-4 decision in the NCAA heavyweight title match.

“That’s one of the greatest matches I’ve ever seen in my entire life,” Coach Taylor said. “It’s almost surreal in the corner to think, ‘We have a chance here.’ And Wyatt—he believed it.”

“It’s having a high level of trust,” Hendrickson said. “When they tell me something, sometimes you feel a different way. It’s better to just shut up—they know what they’re talking about.

“Just those little things he’s been putting in my head. He’s been consistent. He’s believed in me—as well as everyone on the training staff. Everything Coach Taylor and the guys told me to do, I was willing to do it, because I wanted to be a national champion.”

Hendrickson once again proved what legendary San Francisco 49ers coach Bill Walsh constantly preached to his teams:

“Champions behave like champions before they are champions.”

Walsh’s philosophy underscores the importance of mindset and preparation in achieving greatness. According to Walsh, champions aren’t made solely by their victories; they are forged through consistent dedication, discipline, and the relentless pursuit of excellence—long before they ever step onto the podium. This mindset cultivates the very essence of a champion, enabling individuals to rise to the occasion when the stakes are highest.

Hendrickson’s journey to the national championship is a testament to this belief. His unwavering trust in his coaches, his willingness to address and overcome his weaknesses, and his determination to succeed all exemplify the qualities Walsh admired in champions.

It’s a reminder that the path to greatness is paved with hard work, humility, and an unyielding belief in oneself.

Congratulations, Wyatt.

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