"I think that I am capable of placing or even winning it but it all depends on how I wrestle, but it is kind of hard to see how I would do against them because I have never wrestled college guys before." Forrest said.
Johnstown, PA-- Bishop McCort freshman Jax Forrest, who currently holds the top ranking in the nation for high school wrestlers at 120lbs according to Flo Wrestling, is about to embark on a new chapter in his wrestling career. This weekend, Forrest will make his debut in the collegiate wrestling scene at the highly anticipated Clarion Open. However, in order to compete, he will have to move up a weight class to 125lbs. What makes this even more remarkable is that Forrest is the only high school freshman participating in the tournament, and he will be facing off against his own teammate, Mason Gibson, who also competes in the 125lbs weight class.
Forrest's decision to enter the tournament is a bold and uncommon move for a high school freshman. When asked about his decision, Forrest confidently stated, "I just felt like why not, I am kind of at the weight where I am able to wrestle against college kids so, I am just going out there to see how I can do against them." His motivation behind this decision is to assess his skill level and identify areas for improvement.
Despite the obvious disadvantage in terms of size and strength, Forrest remains optimistic about his chances of placing in the tournament. "I think that I am capable of placing or even winning it, but it all depends on how I wrestle," he said. While Forrest has yet to compete against college-level wrestlers, he has had the opportunity to train with high-level athletes at the prestigious Nittany Lion Wrestling Club in State College, PA.
Forrest's impressive resume speaks for itself. He recently earned a silver medal in the 2022 U17 world championships held in Rome, Italy. Additionally, he has already showcased his skills in matches with college rule sets, including a recent victory against Nathaniel Jesuroga in Flo's WNO. While Forrest has not made any significant changes to his preparation for the Clarion Open, he is mindful of the importance of riding time and is determined to maintain focus during transitions.
Looking ahead, Forrest expressed his desire to continue competing in college open tournaments in the future. "Yea, I definitely would like to try and do one or a couple college opens a year depending on how this year goes and if it all is able to work out," he said. With his remarkable track record and the buzz surrounding him, wrestling enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating Forrest's performance in the Clarion Open.
For those who want to witness Forrest's collegiate debut, the tournament will be streamed live on Flo Arena starting at 9 am. This is an event that should not be missed, as it marks the beginning of what promises to be a remarkable journey for this young wrestling prodigy.
Jax Forrest Social Media Accounts
Instagram @jaxforrest_
Twitter @jaxforrest6
Ryan Hayes
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