Wyatt Henson made his mark in first year at Lock Haven
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The season has ended for the Lock Haven men's wrestling team and the Bald Eagles finished the season with a dual record of 7-11 and had three wrestlers claim Mid-American Conference Championships, qualifying to compete at the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships.
Wyatt Henson led the team with 35 total wins (four losses) and 19 tech falls on the year.
"He's an intense guy that understands the sport," Lock Haven coach Scott Moore said. "I think his awareness of what it takes to be successful and the intensity that he brings to practice is something that we've been missing before and now having him come here, I think it's added a lot to our program. One of the best seasons that we've had here. The fact that he steps on the mat and competes for us is great.
Moore added: "In December, he was wrestling in open tournament events and doing very well. Then in January putting a Lock Haven singlet on and being able to compete with the program. Being able to coach him and knowing he's going to score bonus points, he's going to bring a lot of intensity to the room and score team points is a big contribution to the team. He was a big part of our MAC tournament this year. It's been great for our program."
Henson started the season off with a 1-1 record before rattling off 28 straight victories to bring his record to 29-1. Henson fell for just the second time at the Lock Haven and Navy dual meet when he lost by fall in 2:55 against Josh Koderhandt.
Henson finished the regular season with three wins to bring his overall record to 32-2.
In addition, his 19 tech falls is the most ever in a single season at Lock Haven. Henson makes quick work of his opponents with his takedown ability. He'll take his opponent down and let him back up, giving up neutral points to ultimately secure a tech fall.
"I think it comes from confidence and to keep pushing the pace and breaking my opponent that allows me to get takedowns," Henson said. "I'm good on my feet and not many people can stop it."
The 2023-24 season marked Henson's first at Lock Haven. Henson was previously at Iowa and Oklahoma before transferring to Lock Haven. Henson's father, Sammie, was a two-time NCAA Champion at Clemson University and coached Moore in college at Penn State University.
"My dad coached Moore in college," Henson said. "That kind of started my relationship with all those guys. This place is awesome. I just feel like the guys I'm around and the coaches I'm around are like me and think like me and I think we get along well and have a good relationship."
In the 141-pound bracket, Henson claimed his first MAC Championship with two techs and a pin. Henson needed just 3:22 to defeat Jacob Brenneman of Edinboro, 21-6, in the quarterfinal round. Henson followed up with a pin in the semifinals over Southern Illinois' Eric Almarinez in 6:23 before earning another tech fall, 21-6, that time in 5:40 over Jacob Brya in the finals.
While at Oklahoma, Henson competed at 133 pounds at the NCAA Championships where he went 1-2. After making the jump back to 141, Henson punched his ticket to the NCAA Championships in Kansas City (Missouri) with his MAC Championship victory.
Henson bowed out of the tournament after going 0-2 on Day One. Henson fell in the first round, 4-1, in sudden victory against Josh Edmond of Missouri. A 10-9 decision loss to Purdue's Greyson Clark ended Henson's tournament run.
"I think it just sets off another gear for me to get better after a loss," Henson explained. "It just shows more stuff I need to work on and opens more opportunities for me to get better. I get a full year next year and be able to wrestle those bigger schools. (The goal is) All-American and a national championship and I'll accomplish that here. Lock Haven is home."