Caleb Henson
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| Born | December 7, 2001 Cartersville, Georgia, U.S. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 70 kg (150 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Country |  United States | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Wrestling | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Event(s) | Freestyle and Folkstyle | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| College team | Virginia Tech | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Club | Southeast Regional Training Center | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Caleb Henson (born December 7) is an American freestyle and folkstyle wrestler who competes at 70 kilograms. Henson competed collegiately for Virginia Tech, where he captured the 2024 NCAA Title at 149 lb. Henson is a 3 time All- American and a two-time national finalist.
Career
[edit]High School
[edit]Henson was born in Cartersville, Georgia. He attended Woodland High School, where he established himself as one of the most accomplished wrestlers in Georgia state history. Throughout his high school career, he won multiple state championships and earned national recognition through performances at premier tournaments including Super 32, Fargo, and other national-level competitions.[1] [2]
Virginia Tech
[edit]2022-2023
[edit]As a true freshman, Henson immediately entered Virginia Tech's starting lineup at 149 pounds. He quickly emerged as one of the nation's best wrestlers at the weight, winning the ACC Championship as a freshman and helping Virginia Tech qualify all ten starters for the NCAA Championships.[3]
At the 2023 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, Henson earned All-American honors by placing fifth nationally. He became only the second true freshman in Virginia Tech wrestling history to earn All-American status. Henson concluded the season with a 27–5 record.[4]
2023-2024
[edit]Entering his sophomore season ranked among the favorites at 149 pounds, Henson compiled one of the most successful seasons in Virginia Tech wrestling history. Throughout the regular season he defeated numerous ranked opponents and entered the NCAA Championships as the No. 4 seed.
At the 2024 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, Henson defeated Alek Martin, Jordan Williams, Ty Watters, top-seeded Ridge Lovett, and Austin Gomez to claim the national championship at 149 pounds. In the finals he defeated Gomez by a 15–7 major decision, recording the largest margin of victory among the championship matches.[5]
The championship made Henson only the second NCAA wrestling champion in Virginia Tech history, joining Mekhi Lewis. He also became the first wrestler from Georgia ever to win an NCAA Division I wrestling title.[6] Henson was also awarded the ACC Wrestler of the Year honors after capturing his national title.[7]
2024-2025
[edit]Henson entered the season as the defending NCAA champion and the consensus No. 1 wrestler at 149 pounds. During the season he won the prestigious Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, defeating multiple ranked opponents including Nebraska's Ridge Lovett and Oklahoma State's Carter Young.[8]
Henson finished the regular season undefeated and captured his third ACC Championship. He was subsequently named ACC Wrestler of the Year for the second consecutive season.[9]
At the 2025 NCAA Division I Men's Wrestling Championships, Henson advanced to his second consecutive NCAA final. He entered the championship bout with a 22–0 record before suffering his only loss of the season, falling 1–0 to Nebraska's Ridge Lovett in the national finals.[10]
2025-2026
[edit]Henson redshirted the 2025–26 season, competing in freestyle events ahead of his final year of eligibility.[11]
Freestyle
[edit]Henson opened his 2026 freestyle campaign during his redshirt season at the Bill Farrell Memorial Open. Henson captured bronze falling to Tyler Kasak while notably defeating Melvin Miller.[12]
At the 2026 Zagreb Open Ranking Series in Zagreb, Croatia, competing at 70 kilograms. His tournament concluded with a third-place finish after a victory over former world champion Ismail Musukaev in the bronze-medal bout.[13]
In an attempt to make the 2026 World Team at 70 kg, Henson finished second in both the US Open as well as the World Team Trials. Henson fell 12–14 to familiar foe Ridge Lovett in the finals of the US Open and fell in the finals of the World Team Trials to Zain Retherford 1–2.[14][15]
Freestyle record
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ "Henson becomes Woodland's 1st-ever national champion". Woodland Athletics.
- ^ "Caleb Henson's Rise To A National Title: 'I'm Going To Put The Nation On Notice'". Sports War.
- ^ "The Virginia Tech Hokies Pick Up Two ACC Championships". Gobbler Country.
- ^ "Tech place ninth at 2023 NCAA Championships". Virginia Tech Athletics.
- ^ "Henson claims 149-pound national title". Virginia Tech Athletics.
- ^ "Caleb Henson: From Cartersville to making wrestling history in Virginia". Fox 5.
- ^ "Virginia Tech Sweeps ACC Wrestling Awards". Atlantic Coast Conference.
- ^ "Caleb Henson takes 149-pound crown at Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational". Virginia Tech Athletics.
- ^ "Henson (athlete), Robinson (freshman) and Robie (coach) headline 2024-25 ACC Wrestling Award Winners". The Mat.
- ^ "Virginia Tech Wrestling: Caleb Henson falls to Ridge Lovett in National Finals Bout". Sports Illustrated.
- ^ "Caleb Henson to redshirt 2025-2026 season". Virginia Tech Athletics.
- ^ "Kasak, Parris among standout U.S. finalists in men's freestyle at 2025 Bill Farrell Memorial International". USAWrestling.
- ^ "Team USA wrestling results from the 2026 Zagreb Open". Flo Wrestling.
- ^ "Ryan Burton and Bo Bassett win US Open titles in Las Vegas". Virginia Tech Athletics.
- ^ "World Team Trials Wrestling Results 2026: Here's Every Final X Qualifier". FLo Wrestling.