The wrestling world knew Gable Steveson was special. But on Sunday night, inside a roaring Welsh-Ryan Arena, he proved once again why he’s in a league of his own. The Minnesota star didn’t just win his fourth Big Ten heavyweight title—he dominated Penn State’s Greg Kerkvliet, the reigning NCAA champion, with a statement-making 10-3 victory. And while Steveson celebrated, the ripple effect of his triumph could be felt all the way in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
For the Oklahoma State Cowboys, Steveson’s victory opened a massive door. With Kerkvliet falling behind in the national championship race, OSU’s Wyatt Hendrickson is now the No. 2 seed at heavyweight, as he sees a clearer path to an NCAA title. The landscape has shifted, and with Steveson asserting his dominance, the Cowboys stand to benefit in a major way.
The reigning Olympic gold medalist had not been taken down all season, riding a 66-match win streak into the showdown. But across from him stood Kerkvliet, a wrestler who had won 38 straight matches and was seen as one of the few capable of challenging Steveson. Some even believed this could be the night Kerkvliet took the throne. Turns out, that was wishful thinking.
Steveson set the tone from the initial whistle. He took an early takedown in the first period, jumping out in front by a 3-0 lead and making Kerkvliet play defense early. When the second period rolled around, Steveson took another takedown, widening the lead and draining the fight from his opponent. In the third, it was obvious—the title wasn’t Steveson’s alone, it was his by a landslide. A finishing takedown secured the 10-3 win, his fourth consecutive Big Ten title, something that hadn’t been done by any heavyweight in conference history.
His superiority was not forgotten. After the fight, he took to Instagram, posting a photo of himself with the championship belt around his waist, and even captioning it with a quote from the doubters. He wrote, “First 4X Heavyweight Big Ten Champion. My greatest performance still awaits. See you in Philly!”
From that, it is safe to assume that while he is winning titles, he is also sending a message.
What this is for the Cowboys and Hendrickson
For Oklahoma State’s Wyatt Hendrickson, Steveson’s win was more than just another record-breaking moment—it was an opportunity. Heading into the NCAA Championships, Hendrickson is the No. 2 seed, and with Kerkvliet now having vulnerabilities, the Cowboys have all the reasons in the world to believe their best heavyweight can capitalize. Hendrickson has been scorching hot this year, tearing through the Big 12 Championships and proving that he is one of the country’s best finishers.
The Oklahoma State standout is attacking and aggressive in his approach, something that could be trouble for Kerkvliet after watching the way Steveson dismantled him. Hendrickson and Kerkvliet would meet in a charged-up NCAA semifinal if the brackets hold, with the winner moving on to play Steveson in the championship. But with Kerkvliet now playing catch-up, momentum has turned in the direction of the Cowboys.
And while Steveson is still the gold standard, Hendrickson now has the blueprint with which to attack Kerkvliet. With Kerkvliet now vulnerable, Oklahoma State’s Wyatt Hendrickson is suddenly in a great position to make a serious title run. For the Cowboys, the stakes could not be any bigger.
With gold at stake in the NCAA, Hendrickson and Oklahoma State can rewrite history, but in order for that to happen, they’ll first need to capitalize on the opportunity Steveson just presented them. And if the result last night was anything to judge by, the heavyweight title fight is far from over.
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