2x All-American Hendrickson to Transfer to Oklahoma State

Sunday appeared to be a slow news day on the wrestling front; however, two-time All-American Wyatt Hendrickson changed all that. Hendrickson has committed to finishing his career at Oklahoma State University. Aside from retention of current team members, Hendrickson’s commitment to the Cowboys is the first recruiting win of the David Taylor-era in Stillwater. 

Hendrickson has finished third in the nation at 285 lbs in each of the last two years for the Air Force Academy. In 2023, he was the first Air Force wrestler in 20 years to earn All-American honors. While in Colorado Springs, Hendrickson racked up two Big 12 titles and never finished lower than third in the conference. All told, Hendrickson won 97 bouts for Air Force, against only 11 losses, and earned bonus points in more than 79% of his matches during his final three years.

 He has twice represented the USA internationally, taking fifth at the U20 World Championships in 2021 and claiming a gold medal at the U23 World Championships last year. 

There was some uncertainty as to whether Hendrickson would be allowed to wrestle in 2024-25. While he has an extra year of eligibility from the COVID year, the US Government had to sign a waiver allowing him to use that additional year, rather than immediately starting his service with the Air Force. Since an athlete is unable to compete for more than four years at a service academy, Hendrickson was forced to transfer if he received his waiver and intended on using the final year of eligibility. 

Hendrickson initially listed Oklahoma State, along with Michigan, Missouri, and Minnesota as possible transfer destinations. 

While 285 lbs certainly isn’t a hole for Oklahoma State - they already have Konner Doucet on the roster - adding a wrestler of Hendrickson’s caliber is hard to pass up.  

Doucet was fifth in the Big 12 in each of the last two seasons and went 2-2 as the 12th seed in Kansas City. Hendrickson and Doucet did not square off in 2023-24, but the previous year Hendrickson prevailed with a 12-3 major decision.