By Tristan Warner
Wrestling Insider Newsmagazine (WIN)

The storybook ending to Wyatt Hendrickson’s stellar senior season continues to garner recognition, as the Oklahoma State heavyweight has now been named as the first ever three-time recipient of the prestigious Schalles Award, awarded annually to the nation’s top pinner.

Hendrickson, who won the award in 2022 and 2023 while representing Air Force, will add this latest honor to the NCAA’s Most Dominant Wrestler award as well as the 2025 WIN Magazine/Culture House Dan Hodge Trophy.

The Schalles Award, presented annually to the nation’s top collegiate pinner, is named after Wade Schalles, who set the college pin record at Clarion (Pa.) State where he also won two NCAA championships (1972-73). During his career, Schalles defeated 153 of 159 opponents, pinning 109.

He was named a Distinguished Member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1991.

The legendary Schalles commented, “What do you say about the first three-time Schalles award winner? Besides well-done, and congratulations champ! And what’s most noticeable is you’re a man who carries himself with quiet dignity — a gentleman of character, someone who’s been forged by discipline and defined by grace. You’re a leader by nature and an inspiration to everyone in the sport of wrestling.”

On the year, Hendrickson’s dominant fifth-year senior campaign saw the Newton, Kansas native compile a 27-0 record with 13 pins, eight tech falls and a bonus-point percentage of 81.5.

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