Hendrickson Becomes Air Force’s First All-American in 20 Years
3/17/2023 9:29:00 PM | Wrestling
TULSA, OK – Wyatt Hendrickson posted a convincing major decision in the 2023 NCAA Wrestling Championships quarterfinals to earn All-America status and bring the honor to the Academy for the first time since 2003. Air Force is 20th place in the field of 67 teams headed into the final day of tournament action.
NCAA SEMIFINALS
Wyatt Hendrickson met with three-time All-American (3) Greg Kerkvliet of Penn State in the semifinals. Both wrestlers had impressive tournament track records heading into the bout; Hendrickson had a pin and two major decisions en route to the match while Kervliet had a pin, a major decision, and convincing 4-0 decision in the quarterfinals.
Hendrickson was the first to score a takedown, but Kerkvliet was able to mount a reversal to knot the match at two. The Nittany Lion scored an escape point in the second period and rode Hendrickson out for an additional match point to seal the deal at 4-2.
(3) Greg Kerkvliet (Penn State) over Wyatt Hendrickson (Air Force) 4-2 Dec.
WHO'S NEXT?
Wyatt Hendrickson will take on (9) Lucas Davison of Northwestern in the consolation semi-finals on Saturday afternoon. The winner will head to the third-place match against the winner of (4) Tony Cassioppi (Iowa) and (10) Zach Elam (Missouri). Kerkvliet will meet with (1) Mason Parris (Michigan) in the finals.
WYATT HENDRICKSON THE ALL-AMERICAN
Hendrickson's major decision over Zach Elam in the quarter finals match guaranteed his All-America status, marking the first All-American for Air Force since 2003. Hendrickson becomes the ninth all-time Air Force All-American for the program's 12th All-American accolade.
SESSION 3 RECAP
In the wake of sessions three, two Falcons accounted for three wins, helping Air Force to a 15th-place tie with South Dakota State in the team race (20.0).
285: Wyatt Hendrickson continued his roll through the heavyweight division, this time against Missouri's big man, (10) Zach Elam. Elam struck to put Air Force fans on the edge of their seat, scoring a takedown and four near-fall points. Disaster averted, Hendrickson scored a reversal and four back points of his own. Hendrickson, eyeing Most Dominant Wrestler, settled in, and fired up his offense to score another takedown and add more near-fall points. At the final whistle, Hendrickson outscored Elam with a 17-8 major decision and his third bonus point win of the tournament. Hendrickson is the only heavyweight in the semifinals to have scored bonus points in every match leading up. The Falcon will meet with (3) Greg Kerkvliet of Penn State in the semis.
(2) Wyatt Hendrickson (10) over Zach Elam (MIZZ), 17-8, MD
133: Cody Phippen shocked the BOK yet again as he stuck two-time retuning All-American (12) Chris Cannon of Northwestern to the mat for his second pin against a higher seed in the tournament. Phippen steamed ahead to meet (14) Zach Redding of Iowa State. Phippen was commanding in the regulation periods, narrowly missing near-fall points for a sure victory. Moments into SV-1, Redding snuck past Phippen to seal the deal. Phippen's exceptional run came to an end, bringing a special Air Force career to a close with an NCAA qualification, three Big 12 podiums, and 50 career wins. Phippen flies off into the Wild Blue Yonder where he will serve as a pilot after graduation.
(22) Cody Phippen over (12) Chris Cannon (NW), Fall (3:48)
(14) Zach Redding (ISU) over (22) Cody Phippen (AF), 5-3 SV-1
125: Tucker Owens was gritty to the end but ultimately fell to Brett Ungar in the opening consolation match. Owens brings a stellar freshman season to a close with an NCAA qualification, a Big 12 podium, and 26 wins to his credit.
(15) Bret Ungar (COR) over (33) Tucker Owens (AF), Fall (5:52)
NCAA SEMIFINALS
Wyatt Hendrickson met with three-time All-American (3) Greg Kerkvliet of Penn State in the semifinals. Both wrestlers had impressive tournament track records heading into the bout; Hendrickson had a pin and two major decisions en route to the match while Kervliet had a pin, a major decision, and convincing 4-0 decision in the quarterfinals.
Hendrickson was the first to score a takedown, but Kerkvliet was able to mount a reversal to knot the match at two. The Nittany Lion scored an escape point in the second period and rode Hendrickson out for an additional match point to seal the deal at 4-2.
(3) Greg Kerkvliet (Penn State) over Wyatt Hendrickson (Air Force) 4-2 Dec.
WHO'S NEXT?
Wyatt Hendrickson will take on (9) Lucas Davison of Northwestern in the consolation semi-finals on Saturday afternoon. The winner will head to the third-place match against the winner of (4) Tony Cassioppi (Iowa) and (10) Zach Elam (Missouri). Kerkvliet will meet with (1) Mason Parris (Michigan) in the finals.
WYATT HENDRICKSON THE ALL-AMERICAN
Hendrickson's major decision over Zach Elam in the quarter finals match guaranteed his All-America status, marking the first All-American for Air Force since 2003. Hendrickson becomes the ninth all-time Air Force All-American for the program's 12th All-American accolade.
SESSION 3 RECAP
In the wake of sessions three, two Falcons accounted for three wins, helping Air Force to a 15th-place tie with South Dakota State in the team race (20.0).
285: Wyatt Hendrickson continued his roll through the heavyweight division, this time against Missouri's big man, (10) Zach Elam. Elam struck to put Air Force fans on the edge of their seat, scoring a takedown and four near-fall points. Disaster averted, Hendrickson scored a reversal and four back points of his own. Hendrickson, eyeing Most Dominant Wrestler, settled in, and fired up his offense to score another takedown and add more near-fall points. At the final whistle, Hendrickson outscored Elam with a 17-8 major decision and his third bonus point win of the tournament. Hendrickson is the only heavyweight in the semifinals to have scored bonus points in every match leading up. The Falcon will meet with (3) Greg Kerkvliet of Penn State in the semis.
(2) Wyatt Hendrickson (10) over Zach Elam (MIZZ), 17-8, MD
133: Cody Phippen shocked the BOK yet again as he stuck two-time retuning All-American (12) Chris Cannon of Northwestern to the mat for his second pin against a higher seed in the tournament. Phippen steamed ahead to meet (14) Zach Redding of Iowa State. Phippen was commanding in the regulation periods, narrowly missing near-fall points for a sure victory. Moments into SV-1, Redding snuck past Phippen to seal the deal. Phippen's exceptional run came to an end, bringing a special Air Force career to a close with an NCAA qualification, three Big 12 podiums, and 50 career wins. Phippen flies off into the Wild Blue Yonder where he will serve as a pilot after graduation.
(22) Cody Phippen over (12) Chris Cannon (NW), Fall (3:48)
(14) Zach Redding (ISU) over (22) Cody Phippen (AF), 5-3 SV-1
125: Tucker Owens was gritty to the end but ultimately fell to Brett Ungar in the opening consolation match. Owens brings a stellar freshman season to a close with an NCAA qualification, a Big 12 podium, and 26 wins to his credit.
(15) Bret Ungar (COR) over (33) Tucker Owens (AF), Fall (5:52)
Players Mentioned
Wyatt Hendrickson Visit
Monday, April 07
Sam Barber Interview March 12, 2025
Wednesday, March 12
Sam Barber Interview March 5, 2025
Wednesday, March 05
Sam Barber Interview February 25, 2025
Tuesday, February 25
