Oklahoma State Makes History with Three Freshman NCAA Champions

Cowboys' trio of title-winning freshmen propel team to second-place finish at 2026 NCAA Wrestling Championships

Mar. 22, 2026 at 7:56am

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The Oklahoma State Cowboys made history at the 2026 NCAA Wrestling Championships, crowning three individual champions - all true freshmen. Sergio Vega (141 lbs), Landon Robideau (157 lbs), and Jax Forrest (133 lbs) became the first trio of freshman titlists from the same school in NCAA history, leading OSU to a second-place team finish.

Why it matters

Oklahoma State's unprecedented feat of having three freshman champions highlights the growing trend of younger wrestlers achieving elite-level success in college. Factors like increased specialized training, tougher high school competition, and evolving redshirt strategies are contributing to this phenomenon, which could reshape the landscape of college wrestling in the years to come.

The details

Vega, Robideau, and Forrest all capped undefeated seasons with dramatic championship victories. Vega defeated two-time defending champ Jesse Mendez of Ohio State, while Robideau avenged two prior losses to claim his title. Forrest broke an OSU freshman record by scoring 26 team points, the most by a first-year Cowboy since 1990.

  • The 2026 NCAA Wrestling Championships took place in Cleveland.
  • Sergio Vega, Landon Robideau, and Jax Forrest won their individual titles on March 21, 2026.

The players

Sergio Vega

A true freshman who won the 141-pound NCAA title with a perfect 24-0 record, becoming the first undefeated freshman champion since 1947.

Landon Robideau

A true freshman who won the 157-pound NCAA title, avenging two prior losses on his way to a 21-2 record.

Jax Forrest

A true freshman who won the 133-pound NCAA title, breaking an Oklahoma State record for most team points scored by a freshman (26).

David Taylor

The head coach of the Oklahoma State wrestling team, who acknowledged the team's progress and stated they will keep getting better.

Cody Merrill

A redshirt freshman for Oklahoma State who reached the finals at 197 pounds, finishing as the runner-up.

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What they’re saying

“It's not something you're typically proud of (getting second place), but it's a stepping stone...we're going to keep getting better.”

— David Taylor, Head Coach, Oklahoma State Wrestling

What’s next

The Oklahoma State wrestling team will look to build on their historic 2026 performance and aim to capture the NCAA team title in the coming years.

The takeaway

Oklahoma State's success with three freshman champions highlights the evolving landscape of college wrestling, where younger athletes are achieving elite-level success earlier in their careers. This trend could reshape the sport in the years to come, as specialized training, increased high school competition, and strategic redshirting continue to impact the development of top collegiate wrestlers.