In a world where college rivalries often fracture friendships, Bo Bassett and Jax Forrest are proving the opposite. Despite having committed to different wrestling programs—Bassett to Iowa and Forrest to Oklahoma State—the two young wrestlers aren’t letting their upcoming college rivalry get in the way of their friendship. They’re best friends who’ve known each other since middle school, after all. “Me and Bo, we just have that utmost, respect for each other,” said Forrest in an interview once. From filming segments together for FloWrestling to wrestling and training together, the duo continues to show that their bond goes far beyond the wrestling mat.

The latest example of their longstanding friendship arrived when Jax Forrest clinched the 2025 Senior Pan-American Championship title in the 61 kg weight class, marking his first senior international medal. It was a feat that marked Forrest’s relentless grit and unwavering discipline, in a continuation of his winning streak following his victory at last month’s 2025 U.S. Senior Open. His celebratory Instagram post was his echo of his journey behind the success. “It’s been lots of hard work, failure, long nights, early mornings, and sacrifices to get here… but it’s all worth it,” wrote Forrest under the slideshow of images he posted from the competition.

As fans rushed to the comment section to applaud and congratulate him, one particular comment stood out. A heartfelt “congrats my man” from Bo Bassett, bookended with a United States flag and heart emoji. Forrest responded with a simple heart emoji of his own. But Bo didn’t stop there. In classic Bo fashion, he also commented a goat GIF, showing his deep respect for his best friend and fellow wrestler, who he clearly considers the GOAT.

The exchange, although small, captured the mutual respect and affection between two young athletes who share the same high school mats. Bassett and Forrest’s interaction served as a refreshing reminder that sportsmanship and camaraderie can outshine rivalry.

Bo Bassett and Jax Forrest choose friendship over rivalry

Now they may not be NCAA rivals yet, so right now they continue to be training partners and close friends. They’re brothers in arms, grinding day in and day out at the Bishop McCort Catholic High School wrestling room in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. “Obviously we’re kids, you know things are going to happen,” said Jax Forrest, speaking to FloWrestling in a joint interview with Bassett. “We’re going to argue, we’re going to tussle and practice. We’re going to get mad at each other, but you know, at the end of the day, you know it doesn’t matter what’s happening; we’re all trying to bring each other up and just continuing to keep getting better.”

Both hailed from Pennsylvania’s deeply rooted wrestling culture, sharpening each other’s skills through endless hours of sparring, team events, and national tournaments. But with Bassett and Forrest, on some days the other wins while the other loses, and sometimes, on those especially good days, the both of them win their respective matches together.

“We’ve both won tournaments like highest level, and we’ve both lost tournaments at the highest level, so it’s like, while you want to celebrate your best friend’s victory, then you’re like, Man, this day would have been a lot better if we both would’ve won, you know? But that’s the way it happens, and that’s what keeps pushing us to keep getting better and better, and there’s going to be times when we both win at the highest level, and those are the best days that there is.”

And competition? Well, so far that’s not really something that has factored into their dynamic. “I feel like we’re more lifting each other up, but if we are competitive, it’s like who could score more points or who can, like, maybe dominate more—that type of thing,” said Bassett in the same interview. “As far as competitive, it’s always been like that, though.”

The wholesome moment in social media wasn’t just a digital pat on the back; it was an extension of a friendship that has endured since childhood. And as Forrest prepares for the upcoming Final X, and Bassett continues to script his own wrestling journey, one thing becomes clear; some teammates will probably remain teammates for life.