17-year-old, two-time forfeits achiever, Jax Forrest recently made his debut in the U20 US Open championship and gave his best. However, destiny had some other plans.  The athlete lost  8-1 to Ohio junior Marcus Blaze in the finals and finished in 4th place. However, he didn’t let himself down due to this defeat and added,  “I would say I’m proud of myself, but definitely a lot of improvements that I need to make,”.

Along similar lines, a four-time national champion, Carter Starocci recently made headlines for his gracious acknowledgment of Forrest’s try despite facing setbacks. His uplifting words struck a chord with wrestling fans worldwide. The captivating part is he himself experienced disappointment after bowing out early due to a loss in his second match. However, chose to shine the spotlight on Forrest, recognizing his talent & dedication.

Starocci’s heartfelt shoutout to Forrest on social media earned him praise from fans and peers alike. The tweet which read, “Jax Forrest is my favorite wrestler in all divisions and weights. (handshake emoji)”, showcased his admiration for the young wrestler. Evidently, Forrest’s impressive performance at the 2024 USA Olympic Team Trials, where he competed in the 57 kg category alongside other top-ranked high school wrestlers, further solidified his rising status in the wrestling community.

To this, the young champion also thanked Starocci for his kind words. Starocci’s endorsement of Forrest as his favorite wrestler across all divisions and weights added to the young athlete’s accolades.

Having been acknowledged as the “Athlete of the Week” by the U.S. Air Force Special Warfare just two weeks prior, Forrest’s achievements have garnered widespread recognition.

What exactly happened with Forrest and what’s next for the athlete?

Despite Blaze’s 9-4 victory over Forrest in the 2023 Clarion Open quarterfinals, their rivalry spans several matches, including Forrest’s wins in the 2020 and 2022 Super 32 tournaments. With an outstanding 157-2 record and three Ohio state titles, Blaze’s dominance is evident. Competing at Penn State’s Bryce Jordan Center, Forrest cherished the enthusiastic crowd’s support.

“It was crazy just hearing everyone yelling when I scored or got scored on,” he said. Despite facing older competitors, Forrest’s 2024 PIAA title victory and experience against top wrestlers bolstered his confidence. “I learned that I can compete with the best guys in the world…and believing that I can score on them,” he affirmed.

Up next, Forrest’s challenge at the U.S. Open in Las Vegas serves as an opportunity to apply these lessons and continue his wrestling journey with determination and focus. Are you excited to see him making waves?