Oklahoma State University Athletics
Hendrickson, Valencia Cement World Team Status
June 16, 2025 | Cowboy Wrestling
NEWARK, N.J. – Cowboy RTC wrestlers Wyatt Hendrickson and Zahid Valencia earned their spots on Team USA, sweeping their respective opponents in a best-of-three series on Saturday night at the Prudential Center.
The Hodge Trophy Winner swept Trent Hillger to cement his status on Team USA, outscoring him 30-14. Hendrickson (125kg) dominated the opening bout with a 10-0 technical fall and followed it with a 20-14 win to complete the sweep of Hillger. Hendrickson adds a World Team membership to an impressive summer resume that includes a gold medal at the Pan-American Championships and a U.S. Open title. The NCAA's Most Dominant Wrestler has not dropped a match this summer.
Valencia (86kg) was 1-2 all-time against Kyle Dake heading into his best-of-three match with World Team membership on the line. In low-scoring matches, Valencia prevailed 5-3 and 3-1, respectively, to earn his spot on Team USA.
Joey McKenna (65kg) dropped his best-of-three series to Real Woods in two matches, falling just shy of making Team USA.
Hendrickson and Valencia are set to wrestle for Team USA at the Senior World Championships on September 13-21 at the Zagreb Arena in Croatia.
Hendrickson
Hendrickson TF Hillger, 10-0
Hendrickson dec. Hillger, 20-14
Valencia
Valencia dec. Dake, 5-3
Valencia dec. Dake, 4-1
McKenna
Woods dec. McKenna, 7-3
Woods dec. McKenna, 5-4
The Hodge Trophy Winner swept Trent Hillger to cement his status on Team USA, outscoring him 30-14. Hendrickson (125kg) dominated the opening bout with a 10-0 technical fall and followed it with a 20-14 win to complete the sweep of Hillger. Hendrickson adds a World Team membership to an impressive summer resume that includes a gold medal at the Pan-American Championships and a U.S. Open title. The NCAA's Most Dominant Wrestler has not dropped a match this summer.
Valencia (86kg) was 1-2 all-time against Kyle Dake heading into his best-of-three match with World Team membership on the line. In low-scoring matches, Valencia prevailed 5-3 and 3-1, respectively, to earn his spot on Team USA.
Joey McKenna (65kg) dropped his best-of-three series to Real Woods in two matches, falling just shy of making Team USA.
Hendrickson and Valencia are set to wrestle for Team USA at the Senior World Championships on September 13-21 at the Zagreb Arena in Croatia.
Hendrickson
Hendrickson TF Hillger, 10-0
Hendrickson dec. Hillger, 20-14
Valencia
Valencia dec. Dake, 5-3
Valencia dec. Dake, 4-1
McKenna
Woods dec. McKenna, 7-3
Woods dec. McKenna, 5-4
Players Mentioned
/ Cowboy Wrestling
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