JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO - Lackland, Texas - An Air Force officer is the nation’s top men’s college wrestler after winning the Dan Hodge trophy, Mar. 31, 2025.
For 2nd Lt. Wyatt Hendrickson the Hodge award caps off a heady two weeks. First, he won the NCAA heavyweight wrestling National Championship, then was named Big 12 Wrestler of the Year, and is now recognized as the best in collegiate wrestling.
Hendrickson, a native of Newton, Kansas, is wrestling under two banners: the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Department of the Air Force's World Class Athlete Program.
“WCAP develops DAF athletes and prepares them to qualify and represent the U.S and DAF at the Olympic Games,” said Dale Filsell, chief, DAF WCAP and Shooting programs.
WCAP is managed by the Air Force Services Center, a primary subordinate unit of the Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center.
“WCAP athletes are DAF ambassadors, exemplifying values that will transfer to a successful career in uniform: physical fitness, teamwork and dedication,” Filsell said. “The overall fitness of a WCAP athlete ensures they are mission ready and capable of fulfilling their primary military duties upon returning to their primary AFSC, these Airmen and guardians enhance the combat readiness of the force.”
Hendrickson and WCAP are focused on the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.
“I'll be in the WCAP program for the next three years preparing to compete in the Olympics,” said Hendrickson. “For the next three years my main job will be representing the Air Force on the wrestling mat.”
Hendrickson’s WCAP wrestling journey began as he was closing in on graduating as a cadet from the United States Air Force Academy. With one year of wrestling eligibility left, and knowing the value the Air Force places on education, Hendrickson saw WCAP as a way to continue his athletic career and represent the Air Force.
“I brought to their attention that I could get some schooling done and use my last year of eligibility,” said Hendrickson. “The program was on board; they supported me in that.”
Wearing Oklahoma State orange and black and supported by DAF WCAP, Hendrickson stepped into the NCAA Wrestling National Championship, Mar. 22, with an undefeated record and underdog odds. He stayed undefeated as he upset Gable Steveson, representing the Minnesota Gophers, in the finals. Steveson is an Olympic gold medalist, two-time Hodge trophy winner and has multiple NCAA titles.
“First off, I wouldn't be in this position without the foundation that the Air Force Academy has given me, he said. “While at the Academy, it was a lot of wrestling, a lot of military training and a lot of academics. That built me up so I can have a career of success.”
WCAP allows Hendrickson to throw all his focus into training to qualify and represent Team USA at the Olympics. He will continue training at Oklahoma State Regional Training Center with the coaches and staff that helped take his career to the next level.
Following the Olympics and his tenure as a WCAP athlete, Hendrickson said he’ll return to the Air Force to fulfill his service obligation as an acquisitions officer.
“After WCAP, I still get to serve a minimum of five years and my long-term goal has always been to make a career of the military,” he said.
Visit the WCAP website for more information.
WCAP athlete 2nd. Lt. Wyatt Hendrickson