Jax Forrest: Oklahoma State Freshman in NCAA 133-lb Final

Jax Forrest: Oklahoma State Freshman Wrestler Chasing NCAA Title at 133 Pounds

On March 21, 2026, wrestling fans across the country are tuning in to watch one of the most remarkable stories in recent college sports history unfold live on ESPN. Jax Forrest, an 18-year-old true freshman from Oklahoma State University, has advanced to the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championship final at 133 pounds — and he's doing it with a perfect 17-0 career record as the tournament's top seed. If his name isn't already on your radar, it will be after tonight.

Forrest's path to the national title bout is unlike anything college wrestling has seen in decades. A Bishop McCort Catholic High School graduate from Johnstown, Pennsylvania, he enrolled at Oklahoma State in January 2026 — mid-season — after graduating high school early. Within weeks, he was competing at the highest level of college wrestling. Now, just months later, he's one win away from an NCAA championship. The Tribune-Democrat reports that Forrest's attitude heading into the final is simple: "Let's put on a show."

From Bishop McCort to the Biggest Stage in College Wrestling

Jax Forrest isn't a typical college freshman. Long before he set foot on Oklahoma State's campus, he had already established himself as one of the most decorated young wrestlers in U.S. history. He is a U23 World Champion, and at just 18 years old, he became the youngest member of the U.S. Freestyle Senior World Team in more than 50 years — a distinction that underscores just how far ahead of his peers he has always been.

At the senior world championships, competing against fully grown, experienced international opponents, Forrest finished fifth. That result, remarkable for an 18-year-old, only sharpened his focus heading into his college career. According to Yahoo Sports, Forrest's drive stems from a deliberate pursuit of being anything but ordinary — a mindset he has carried from his earliest days on the mat.

Before enrolling at Oklahoma State, he capped his high school career by winning the Powerade tournament title for Bishop McCort in December 2025, then made the bold decision to graduate early and begin his NCAA career in January 2026. The move paid immediate dividends: Forrest won the Big 12 title and was named Most Outstanding Wrestler at the Big 12 Championships, all in his first collegiate season.

A Perfect Record and a Dominant Path to the Final

Forrest entered the 2026 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships in Cleveland, Ohio as the top seed at 133 pounds carrying a spotless 17-0 career record. That unblemished mark is not a product of avoiding competition — it reflects a wrestler who has dismantled every opponent placed in front of him at every level of the sport.

In the semifinals, Forrest faced Virginia Tech's Aaron Seidel and delivered a dominant 14-3 major decision to punch his ticket to the title bout. The rematch with Seidel was never particularly close, with Forrest controlling the match from start to finish and demonstrating the technical precision and physical dominance that have defined his young career.

His performance throughout the tournament has reinforced why he entered as the favorite. Forrest doesn't just win — he scores points at will, pressures opponents into mistakes, and rarely gives an inch on defense. At 17-0, he has yet to lose a collegiate match, and his margin of victory suggests his opponents haven't come particularly close to beating him either.

Tonight's Final: Forrest vs. Davino on ESPN

Standing between Forrest and a national championship is Ben Davino of Ohio State, the second seed at 133 pounds. Davino enters the final with a 31-1 record on the season — also a true freshman, which makes this one of the most extraordinary championship matchups in recent NCAA wrestling memory. In fact, the top five seeds at 133 pounds at this year's NCAA Championships are all true freshmen, a historic concentration of young talent at a single weight class.

The Forrest-Davino matchup carries an intriguing subplot. According to Yahoo Sports, the two wrestlers have split their four previous matches in freestyle competition over the past four years — but they have never faced each other in folkstyle wrestling, the discipline used in collegiate competition. That means neither man has a clear psychological edge from their prior meetings, and the folkstyle format may favor different strengths than their freestyle bouts did.

The NCAA championship final at 133 pounds airs live on ESPN tonight, March 21, 2026, from Cleveland, Ohio. It is one of the most anticipated bouts on the final night of the tournament, drawing attention not just from wrestling fans but from the broader sports world curious to see whether Forrest can complete one of the most stunning freshman seasons in college wrestling history.

How Forrest Stays Grounded Amid the Hype

With the spotlight now firmly on him, questions naturally arise about how an 18-year-old handles the pressure of sudden national prominence. Forrest has spoken openly about his approach to staying focused amid the noise, crediting his support system, his training at Oklahoma State, and a mentality forged through years of competing on the international stage long before college wrestling was on the radar.

That international experience matters. When you've represented the United States at the senior world championships as a high schooler — competing against elite adult athletes from wrestling powerhouse nations — the pressure of an NCAA tournament, however significant, carries a different weight. Forrest has been in high-stakes environments before. He knows how to perform when it matters most.

His decision to graduate early and enroll mid-season at Oklahoma State also speaks to his character. It would have been easier, and perhaps more comfortable, to finish high school on a normal timeline. Instead, he chose the harder path — one that placed him immediately into one of the most competitive wrestling programs in the country — and has thrived.

Penn State Wins the Team Title; Individual Glory Still Up for Grabs

While Forrest chases individual history, the team competition at the 2026 NCAA Wrestling Championships has already been decided. Penn State clinched the NCAA wrestling team title ahead of the finals, continuing the Nittany Lions' dynasty as one of the premier programs in collegiate wrestling. Oklahoma State's championship hopes now rest on Forrest and his fellow Cowboys competing in tonight's individual finals.

An NCAA title for Forrest would be a significant moment for the Oklahoma State program — a statement that the Cowboys remain capable of producing individual champions even as Penn State dominates the team standings.

Frequently Asked Questions About Jax Forrest

Who is Jax Forrest?

Jax Forrest is an 18-year-old true freshman wrestler at Oklahoma State University. He graduated early from Bishop McCort Catholic High School in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, and enrolled at Oklahoma State in January 2026. He is the top seed at 133 pounds at the 2026 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, competing with a perfect 17-0 career record.

What is Jax Forrest's record?

As of March 21, 2026, Forrest is 17-0 in his college wrestling career. He has not lost a single match since enrolling at Oklahoma State.

Who does Jax Forrest wrestle in the NCAA final?

Forrest faces Ben Davino of Ohio State in the 133-pound NCAA championship final. Davino is the second seed and carries a 31-1 record on the season. The two have split four previous freestyle matches but have never met in folkstyle competition.

Where can I watch Jax Forrest wrestle tonight?

The NCAA Division I Wrestling Championship final, including the 133-pound title bout between Forrest and Davino, airs live on ESPN on the evening of March 21, 2026, from Cleveland, Ohio.

What makes Jax Forrest so accomplished for his age?

Forrest is a U23 World Champion who, at 18 years old, became the youngest member of the U.S. Freestyle Senior World Team in more than 50 years. He finished fifth at the senior world championships competing against elite adult international wrestlers, then won the Big 12 title and the Most Outstanding Wrestler award at the Big 12 Championships in his first college season.

Conclusion: A Freshman for the Record Books

Whatever happens in tonight's final, Jax Forrest has already written one of the most compelling stories of the 2025-26 college wrestling season. A teenager who graduated high school early, joined a powerhouse program mid-season, and marched through the NCAA tournament undefeated to reach the national championship match — his trajectory defies easy comparison.

If Forrest defeats Davino and finishes 18-0 as a true freshman NCAA champion, he will cement his status as one of the most extraordinary young wrestlers in American history. But even if the result goes the other way, the foundation he has built — on the international circuit, at Bishop McCort, and now at Oklahoma State — suggests that tonight is only the beginning of a career that will be talked about for a very long time.

Wrestling fans should not miss this one. Turn on ESPN tonight and watch history in the making.