The 2025 NCAA Wrestling Championships, held in Philadelphia from March 20-22, were filled with unforgettable moments. The weekend saw dominant champions solidifying their legacies and stunning upsets that will be remembered for years to come. Among these defining stories, Carter Starocci of Penn State University achieved unprecedented success, while heavyweight underdog Wyatt Hendrickson pulled off one of the biggest surprises in NCAA wrestling history. Here’s a look at the most compelling storylines from this year’s tournament.
The championships were headlined by Carter Starocci’s historic achievement. The Penn State wrestler claimed his fifth NCAA individual title, setting a record for most NCAA Division I titles by any wrestler in the sport’s history. Competing in the 184-pound division, Starocci narrowly defeated Parker Keckeisen of Northern Iowa University, 4-3, adding to his previous four titles at 174 pounds. Reflecting on his success, Starocci credited his team and coaching staff, including legendary coach Cael Sanderson.
“When you have the greatest wrestler of all time in coach [Sanderson], it already separates you. Add in everything else, and you’ve got to go out there and have the will to win,” Starocci told FloWrestling.
Sanderson echoed that sentiment, praising Starocci’s competitive drive.
“He’s a competitor,” Sanderson said. “There are certain people who hate losing so much that they’ll do whatever it takes. Most people don’t have that — he does.”
The heavyweight division produced the tournament’s most unexpected outcome. Oklahoma State’s Wyatt Hendrickson overtook Olympic gold medalist and NCAA legend Gable Steveson in a thrilling final. Steveson, who returned to collegiate wrestling after a stint in professional wrestling, was heavily favored to win, with many expecting him to reclaim his title with ease. However, Hendrickson had other plans.
In a heart-pounding match, Hendrickson secured a late takedown in the final seconds to win 5-4, handing Steveson his first NCAA loss in several years. The upset sent shockwaves through the arena.
“It’s bigger than worlds, Olympics, anything,” an emotional Hendrickson said after the match.
His victory not only shocked the crowd but also shifted the heavyweight landscape, making Hendrickson an overnight sensation.
Dean Hamiti Jr., a transfer from University of Wisconsin to Oklahoma State University, also left his mark on the tournament. Under the guidance of Olympic champion coach David Taylor, Hamiti dominated the 174-pound division throughout the season, finishing with a near-perfect 27-1 record. After a narrow loss to University of Missouri’s Keegan O’Toole in the Big 12 finals, Hamiti advanced through the NCAA Championships, securing key victories, including a dramatic overtime win against Penn State’s Levi Haines in the semifinals. In the finals, Hamiti redeemed himself by defeating O’Toole 4-1, capturing Oklahoma State’s first national championship in five years.
Beyond individual achievements, Penn State once again showcased its dominance as a team. The Nittany Lions captured their fourth consecutive team title under Sanderson, solidifying their place as the premier wrestling program in the nation. The Nittany Lions amassed an unprecedented 177 points, shattering their own NCAA record of 172.5 set in 2024. This marked their 12th national title under Sanderson and the 18th consecutive year that a Big Ten school claimed the championship. Notably, Penn State became only the second team in NCAA history to have all 10 wrestlers achieve All-American status, a feat last accomplished by University of Minnesota in 2001. With Starocci’s historic performance leading the way, alongside other finalists such as Mitchell Mesenbrink at 165 pounds, Penn State displayed the depth and consistency that have become synonymous with its wrestling program.
As with any NCAA Championships, upsets and breakout performances kept the tournament thrilling. Dean Peterson of Rutgers University, seeded 12th, shocked the 125-pound division by pinning defending champion Richard Figueroa of Arizona State University. Meanwhile, Jacob Frost of Iowa State University upset Andrew Alirez of Northern Colorado University in the 141-pound bracket with a decisive 6-1 victory. These moments serve as reminders of the sport’s unpredictability, where rankings can shift with a single match and up-and-coming talents can topple established champions.
