Jax Forrest

Jax Forrest
Personal information
Full nameJaxen Patrick Forrest
Born2006
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, U.S.
Weight61 kg (134 lb)
Sport
Country United States
SportWrestling
Event(s)Freestyle and Folkstyle
ClubYoung Guns Wrestling Club
Ranger Pride Wrestling Club
Coached byHoward Forrest
Medal record
Men's freestyle wrestling
Representing the  United States
Pan American Championships
2025 Monterrey 61 kg
US National Championships
2025 Las Vegas 61 kg
U17 World Championships
2022 Rome 55 kg

Jaxen Patrick Forrest (born 2006) is an American freestyle and folkstyle wrestler who competes at 61 kilograms.[1] In freestyle, he was the US National champion and the Pan American champion in 2025.[2]

Career

High school

Born and raised in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Forrest moved to Johnstown, Pennsylvania to attend Bishop McCort High School, where he is currently a junior.[3] A PIAA state champion, Forrest holds a 21–2 record in collegiate competition, and has won multiple collegiate open tournaments.[4] Competing in the freestyle age-groups, he claimed a U17 World silver medal in 2022.[5]

2024

In April, Forrest made his senior level debut and qualified to the US Olympic Team Trials by claiming the US Last Chance Qualifier crown, racking up dominant wins over NCAA champion Nathan Tomasello, veteran Josh Rodriguez and All-American Devan Turner.[6]

Later in the month, Forrest competed at the US Olympic Team Trials, where, after defeating All-American Liam Cronin, he suffered a loss to World champion Thomas Gilman.[7] Competing for third after a pair of forfeit wins, he was defeated by U17 World champion Marcus Blaze.[8]

2025

In February, Forrest, a high school junior, committed to wrestle for David Taylor at the Oklahoma State University.[9]

In April, Forrest claimed the US Open National championship at 61 kilograms, notably defeating NCAA champions Nahshon Garrett in the quarterfinals and Seth Gross in the finals, both by technical fall.[10] As the winner of the tournament, Forrest qualified for Final X, where he'll face World champion Vito Arujau for the US World Team spot.[11] The date and location of his match against Arujau has not yet been announced, following Arujau's request to postpone the match to recover from an unspecified injury.[12]

In May, Forrest claimed the Pan American title for the United States after three victories over foreign opposition.[13]

Freestyle record

References

  1. ^ "Despite team's bus being showered with bullets, Greeley Central's Andrew Alirez unflappable, winning Pan Am wrestling title in Brazil". Greeley Tribune. 2018-09-01. Retrieved 2023-12-16.
  2. ^ "Forrest, Joseph highlight men's freestyle champions at Last Chance Olympic Team Trials Qualifier". www.themat.com. 2024-04-07. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  3. ^ Tribune-Democrat, Eric Knopsnyder For The (2021-11-05). "'Going to sting': Bishop McCort wrestlers, parents call District 6 penalties unfair". The Tribune-Democrat. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  4. ^ Tribune-Democrat, The (2023-11-19). "Bishop McCort's Bo Bassett, Jax Forrest earn Millersville College Open titles". The Tribune-Democrat. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  5. ^ "Jax Forrest named USA Wrestling Athlete of the Week presented by U.S. Air Force Special Warfare". www.themat.com. 2024-04-10. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  6. ^ Tribune-Democrat, The (2024-04-08). "WATCH VIDEO: Bishop McCort sophomore Jax Forrest qualifies for United States Olympic Trials". The Tribune-Democrat. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
  7. ^ Tribune-Democrat, The (2024-04-19). "Bishop McCort sophomore Jax Forrest is 2-1 at U.S. Olympic Trials, will wrestle in Friday night session". The Tribune-Democrat. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  8. ^ Tribune-Democrat, The (2024-04-20). "Bishop McCort's Jax Forrest finishes in 4th place at U.S. Olympic Trials". The Tribune-Democrat. Retrieved 2024-04-26.
  9. ^ Scott, Marshall (2025-02-06). "OSU Wrestling: Jax Forrest Commits to Oklahoma State". Pistols Firing. Retrieved 2025-04-28.
  10. ^ Scott, Marshall (2025-04-27). "OSU Wrestling Commit Jax Forrest Wins U.S. Open as High School Junior". Pistols Firing. Retrieved 2025-04-28.
  11. ^ "Arujau, Forrest to meet at 61 kg in men's freestyle at 2025 Final X." www.themat.com. 2025-05-08. Retrieved 2025-05-11.
  12. ^ Bray, David (2025-06-03). "Vito Arujau Receives Delay For 61 kg Final X Series Against Jax Forrest". Flo Wrestling. Retrieved 2025-06-04.
  13. ^ "Forrest, Lockett, Valencia claim gold in men's freestyle at Senior Pan American Championships". www.themat.com. 2025-05-11. Retrieved 2025-05-11.