Forrest's Win Sparks Cowboys Past Hawkeyes

A packed house at Gallagher-Iba Arena for a rivalry between college wrestling’s traditional bluebloods served as a fitting unofficial end to the 2025-26 regular season (there will be one more DI dual today). Iowa and Oklahoma State had met at the National Duals Invitational in mid-November, and Iowa managed to secure a 18-16 victory.

Much has changed since November with both teams' lineups. In fact, it was at the National Duals Invitational that rumors began to circulate that Jax Forrest would forgo his senior postseason in high school, graduate early, and enroll at Oklahoma State, with the intention of competing immediately.

Forrest was regarded as the #1 overall recruit in a loaded high school Class of 2026. Over the summer, he had knocked off two-time world medalist Vito Arujau for a spot on America’s Senior World Team. At the World Championships, Forrest was a controversial ruling away from a bronze medal.

All of this is to say that we were aware of how good Forrest is or could be, but sometimes you have to see it to believe it.

As his “Funkytown” intro music played and Forrest took the mat against Iowa, it marked the point of no return. Had he been held out of the event, Oklahoma State would have been able to keep him in redshirt for the year. By wrestling him on Sunday night, it was a signal that Forrest will be “the guy” for Oklahoma State during the 2026 postseason.

There was a lot of debate around “will they” or “won’t they” concerning David Taylor wrestling Forrest in the postseason, but InterMat’s position has been consistent. They wouldn’t go through all of this trouble in this unique situation and prevent the kid from wrestling at the end of his senior year of high school if the intention was for Forrest to redshirt.

Sunday’s opponent presented the most significant measuring stick thus far for Forrest. Two-time NCAA runner-up Drake Ayala. Even though Ayala has taken more than his usual share of losses at this point of the season, he still has the best collegiate resume of any of Forrest’s opponents, to date.

What ended up happening on the mat once Forrest and Ayala locked horns is probably something that will go down in the long lore of Cowboy wrestling. Ayala tried his signature throw-by and was close to numerous takedowns; however, Forrest kept his composure and wrestled through every position. Any time Ayala was close to scoring, Forrest had an answer.

At one point, Forrest cradled and nearly pinned Ayala. The Gallagher-Iba crowd was buzzing as the referee looked at both shoulders for Ayala, but ultimately, they didn't explode as they had hoped. Even without a fall, Forrest still managed to get a late takedown to push the bout into technical fall status (19-3).

It was the only time in college that Ayala had lost via tech fall.

One of the talking points between today and the conference tournaments is whether or not Forrest has solidified himself as a favorite in a 133 lb bracket full of talent.

Forrest’s tech helped spark Oklahoma State to a dominating 32-11 win over their rivals. It gives David Taylor his first win over Tom Brands. The margin of victory for the Cowboys is their largest over Iowa since 1961.

One of the few rematches from November’s dual took place at 125 lbs as Troy Spratley reversed his result against Dean Peterson to get OSU on the board and out to an early lead.

In one of the few bright spots for the Hawkeyes, Michael Caliendo got a measure of revenge on Ladarion Lockett at 165 lbs and handed Lockett the first loss of his collegiate career. 

Oklahoma State 32 Iowa 11

125 - Troy Spratley (Oklahoma State) dec Dean Peterson (Iowa)  5-2

133 - Jax Forrest (Oklahoma State) tech Drake Ayala (Iowa)  19-3

141 - Sergio Vega (Oklahoma State) fall Kale Petersen (Iowa)  6:31

149 - Ryder Block (Iowa) tech Kolter Burton (Oklahoma State)  19-4

157 - Landon Robideau (Oklahoma State) dec Jordan Williams (Iowa)  5-1

165 - Michael Caliendo (Iowa) dec Ladarion Lockett (Oklahoma State)  4-2

174 - Patrick Kennedy (Iowa) dec Alex Facundo (Oklahoma State)  8-3

184 - Zack Ryder (Oklahoma State) dec Gabe Arnold (Iowa)  2-1SV

197 - Cody Merrill (Oklahoma State) fall Brody Sampson (Iowa)  4:48

285 - Konner Doucet (Oklahoma State) fall Gage Marty (Iowa)  5:53