Wyatt Hendrickson Left with Surprise Seeding Despite Career Defining Win Over Gable Steveson

Wyatt Hendrickson shook the wrestling world to its core when he did the unthinkable—he beat Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson in the NCAA finals. It wasn’t just an upset—it was the upset. With just seconds on the clock, Hendrickson pulled off a three-point takedown that sent shockwaves through the sport and with a 5-4 win, instantly stamped his name into college wrestling lore. His victory was unprecedented. He was honored with the Dan Hodge trophy for the incredible feat too. And now? He’s heading to the U.S. Open to chase an even bigger prize: a spot on the senior World Team. But seems before that he’s gotta surprise.

According to intermatwrestle.com, the Senior Men’s and Women’s Freestyle seeds for the 2025 U.S. Open are officially out—and yep, guess who’s on the list? Of course, it’s Wyatt Hendrickson. That alone’s exciting, but here’s the kicker: even after that jaw-dropping win over Gable Steveson—the kind of upset that shook the entire wrestling world—Hendrickson still isn’t the top seed at 125 kg. Hard to believe, right? He’s sitting at No. 2. The top spot went to Hayden Zillmer, the gritty vet who made the senior World Team in 2022 and isn’t exactly known for backing down. So now Hendrickson enters as the second seed in a bracket that’s loaded—and suddenly, the road to Final X just got a whole lot tougher.

We’re talking about a bracket stacked with serious threats—Trent Hilger, Nick Feldman, Jordan Wood, Christian Lance, Lucas Stoddard, and Demetrius Thomas. Every single one of them has the tools to ruin someone’s run in Vegas. And it’s not just fans raising eyebrows. FloSports’ Content Director Christian Pyles had plenty to say on FloWrestling Radio Live, and let’s just say—he didn’t sugarcoat it when he saw the 125 kg lineup.

Still, this bracket is no picnic. Zillmer’s got that big-stage experience, and guys like Feldman could be real trouble. “Feldman’s freestyle is probably his best style,” Pyles noted. “On his feet, he can go with just about anyone.” And then there’s Jordan Wood, a big-bodied 125er who could smother opponents with size and strength. Early matchups could be wild—Demetrius Thomas vs. Zillmer, Feldman vs. Wood, and maybe a Hendrickson showdown with Lucas Stoddard or Christian Lance before the finals even come into view.

The true stakes remain clear because this competition leads directly to Final X qualifying for the 2024 World Championships in Croatia. The tournament presents both bragging rights and serves as the route through Final X into the 2024 World Championships in Croatia. If he wins in Vegas, he will qualify to represent Team USA in competitions. Now, can Hendrickson sustain his momentum through the competition to grab the championship crown? Furthermore, what benefits could his association derive from such success?

Wyatt Hendrickson is fighting his way to the top one match at a time

Wyatt Hendrickson is prepping for a vital event at the 2025 CLAW U.S. Open in Las Vegas, which holds the potential to launch his Olympic aspirations. Since winning the Dan Hodge Trophy and taking down the competition during his NCAA years, Hendrickson is focused on establishing himself in senior competition. The U.S. Open functions as his first major hurdle toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where he understands that exceptional performance should position him in the Final X bidding.

The unique aspect that makes Hendrickson stand out is the way in which he maintains balance with all his responsibilities. The World Class Athlete Program of the U.S. Air Force allows him to devote full-time training hours while upholding his military service obligations. The unique requirements of balancing full-time Air Force membership with global athlete status allow Hendrickson to observe discipline and focus in a special way. For Hendrickson, wrestling extends beyond being a competitive sport because he uses this activity to demonstrate strong leadership skills combined with unwavering determination that outshines standard match-winning abilities. The Air Force provides him with strong backing as he moves forward because he uses their resources to build his performance platform.

 Hendrickson has his sights on bringing home Olympic gold but his main objective centers on building a lasting legacy through his career. His current path leads first to the World Championships, and he dedicates his efforts to winning an Olympic medal in the future. Every competition win, along with each tournament step, leads Hendrickson closer to reaching his fundamental objective. Through his persistent dedication to wrestling, along with his patriotism, he prepares today for a future of being recognized as a legendary wrestler. Make sure to track this athlete since his professional journey has merely begun and will become progressively more thrilling down the line.

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