The crowd at T-Mobile Center serenaded Wyatt Hendrickson with chants of “U-S-A” after his final collegiate match Saturday.

While soaking in the praise, the Air Force Academy heavyweight patted the “Air Force” logo across his singlet and bowed, thanking the audience in Kansas City, Mo., for their support.

Hendrickson captured back-to-back third place finishes at the NCAA Division-I Wrestling Championship and scored 17.5 of the Falcons’ 21.5 points.

“How I’ve developed as a person these past four years through wrestling, no one can take that away from me,” Hendrickson said prior to the tournament. “Obviously, I have goals I want to reach. But I’ve had one of the best journeys I could’ve asked for. I only went on one official visit and knew this was my home. I’ve accomplished what I’ve wanted to accomplish thanks to wrestling.”

Hendrickson lost 13-7 in his match Friday in the semifinals to Michigan’s No. 10 Lucas Davison and dropped to the consolation bracket.

But the senior didn’t relent in his approach despite missing a chance to capture Air Force’s first NCAA individual title since Don Henderson did so in the 1967-68 season.

Hendrickson opened the consolation semifinals with a 14-5 major decision against Ohio State’s Nick Feldman.

The nation’s No. 3 heavyweight then capped his career with another major decision win, this time 14-2 against Missouri’s Zach Elam, who Hendrickson defeated Friday night to reach the semifinals.

The Newton, Kan., native wrapped up his Air Force career as a two-time All-American and ended the season 27-2.

For his career, Hendrickson compiled a 103-11 record and, after his freshman season at Air Force, never had more than two losses in a season.

“He’s wrestling for his own purpose,” Air Force coach Sam Barber said prior to the tournament. “He loves the Air Force and the Air Force Academy and he’s proud to represent it the way he does, but he’s not tied to leaving a legacy. He just wants to be the best person he can every day on and off the mat.”