Heading into the final day of the 2025 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, Dean Hamiti Jr. had one thing on his mind: revenge.
Two weeks prior, at the Big 12 Championships in Tulsa, Hamiti lost to two-time 165-pound national champion from Missouri, Keegan O'Toole, in sudden victory on a 7-4 decision to finish as the 174-pound Big 12 runner-up for his first loss of the season.
Hamiti entered Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia as the 3-seed. The Cowboy controlled every match to a win, including a semifinal victory over Penn State's 2-seed Levi Haines, to face off against O'Toole again Saturday.
This time, Hamiti came out as the victor in another thrilling bout against O'Toole to claim his first national championship and Oklahoma State's first individual national champion since AJ Ferrari in 2021.
"I'm excited. I think it's still hitting me a little bit," Hamiti said. "The adrenaline is still pumped into my veins, but I'm grateful. Really enjoyed this tournament and enjoyed the year. Nothing but grateful."
The match started slowly, with no points awarded after the first period. Each competitor earned an escape point in the following two periods, with the score tied to one. With 50 seconds into the third period, Hamiti made a move and maintained control of O'Toole's right leg while O'Toole tried escaping for nearly 20 seconds before a takedown was ruled. A challenge brick was thrown, and the call was reversed—no takedown.
The match headed into sudden victory for the second time between the two this postseason. With everything on the line, Hamiti saw his family and immediately felt the presence of their energy, knowing the support could help push him through until the end.
"When the overtime started, I looked up and saw my dad looking right at me, and it kind of gives you a little breath of fresh air," Hamiti said. "We're asked why we do it every day, and of course, because we love it, but when things get hard, you want to be a great role model for your brothers and family. It gave me a little bit of a second wind."
After 50 seconds, Hamiti found his opportunity and secured the takedown over O'Toole to earn his revenge and claim a national championship. Hamiti said the scramble in sudden victory is a standard move he focuses on in practice, and it paid off at the most crucial time of the season.
"It was kind of just instinct," Hamiti said. "I didn't really think about anything in there. I do those positions with Coach (David) Taylor and Coach (Tyler) Caldwell, and I'm comfortable in there. So it was all instinct for me."
Hamiti knew scoring would be difficult against a daunting opponent like O'Toole, but patience was key for him at the moment.
"I think that's also a big switch in my wrestling," Hamiti said. "Last year, I thought if I wasn't scoring in the first or second period, I would just be going crazy and end up being taken down. But really, picking and choosing and being patient with my attacks and reattacks got me that win."
The senior spent his final collegiate season with the Cowboys after a three-year stint at Wisconsin that saw two All-American honors in the 165-weight class.
When he looked for a new opportunity while transitioning to 174, he knew the OSU wrestling program held a big tradition and history throughout the past century. He wanted to be a part of that tradition and now joins an elite club of champions.
"The reason why I went to Oklahoma State is I know they like to win championships, and they're a very historic program," Hamiti said. "I'm honored to be a part of it. I'm grateful for all my teammates and coaches, and I'm really just honored to be a part of this great program."
Considering the senior's past success in his four seasons, he waited and climbed up the podium, desiring the ultimate storybook ending. Now that Hamiti's college career has come to a close, he has praise for how the journey has gone.
"I think it's a testament to my hard work," Hamiti said. "I've lived the right lifestyle, and I've put in countless minutes in practices and competitions. I'm grateful for my career, and I wouldn't change a single thing."