Wyatt Hendrickson made a notable move to Oklahoma State University for his final year of eligibility, after a remarkable stint at the Air Force Academy. The wrestler, a formidable heavyweight, kicked off the season with lofty ambitions, clinching the No. 2 seed for the NCAA Championships. Recall his statements as he was on the brink of joining the Cowboys?
“I’m just excited. The fact that I get this opportunity is just, it’s really unimaginable and the people at the, you know, my family and my friends, the whole Air Force Academy, the whole support staff has just been nothing but awesome to be doing this whole process,” Hendrickson expressed. Throughout the season, with coach David Taylor at the helm, he upheld an impeccable record, culminating in a thrilling triumph against Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson in the NCAA heavyweight final. This victory has also been celebrated by many fans as one of the most significant upsets in NCAA wrestling history.
In the wake of these remarkable events, Hendrickson has been participating in numerous interviews. He made an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, featured on ESPN’s official YouTube channel. What was the host’s statement?
“You should not feel bad about it at all, brother; you should not. If you heard any negative feedback, it’s okay with us. We actually were telling you how awesome it is, and uh, the world-class athlete program, obviously, that’s uh, for the next four years you’re just going to be preparing for the Olympics. There is that. That is that goal in representing the Air Force in the Olympics and getting a gold medal for the Air Force in the Olympics. That would be a big deal. That’s that mindset now,” stated McAfee.
The host’s comments to Wyatt Hendrickson emphasize the importance of seizing the opportunities that lie ahead, especially the prospect of competing in the Olympics. However, the matter at hand? Indeed, the situation is rather intricate for the wrestler involved. Although he aspires to return to the Airforce, he remains committed to staying in Stillwater to prepare for the Olympics.
In straightforward terms, McAfee is expressing his backing for Hendrickson, recognizing the wrestler’s dedication to his military service as well as his athletic goals. However, what did Gable Steveson say after losing to the Cowboy wrestler?
Gable Steveson’s candid confession to Wyatt Hendrickson and other college wrestlers
As Gable Steveson returned to the NCAA after exploring various avenues, he faced considerable scrutiny. Ultimately, he transformed numerous critics into admirers through his compelling performances. However, in the NCAA Championships, he ended up losing against Wyatt Hendrickson of Oklahoma State. What did he say?
During a conversation with ESPN, Steveson shared insights about his journey, saying, “That was the main reason why I wanted to come back to the University of Minnesota after leaving in 2022. I wanted these kids to see that you can be something special, whether you win or lose. You can change a sport, you can be a guy that people want to look at and take pictures with, and hang out with after the duels and after the matches.”
Steveson had long aspired to return to Minnesota, and that aspiration became a reality with his return to college wrestling. Moreover, his aspiration was to serve as a source of inspiration for many, rather than merely striving to win medals. Additionally, he expressed his feelings, saying, “It’s not the end of the world for me. Like I said, the sun is shining right now, I’m happy to see that. The skin is glowing, I’m smiling, the teeth look good, and I’m ready to be here. I’ve done so many great things, met so many great people, been to so many great places… and I’ll never take that for granted.”
Regardless of what Steveson accomplished during his time with Minnesota, he expresses satisfaction. Although he didn’t secure the title, he had the chance to explore numerous opportunities and relished his time once more as a college wrestler. What an inspiring person he is!
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