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Cleveland Today
By the People, for the People
Oklahoma State Wrestling Finishes Runner-Up to Penn State
Cowboy freshmen shine as program shows growth in national title chase
Mar. 23, 2026 at 10:51am
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Oklahoma State University's wrestling team finished as the runner-up to powerhouse Penn State at the 2026 NCAA Wrestling Championships held in Cleveland. The Cowboys crowned three individual champions, including true freshman Jax Forrest, showcasing the program's rising talent and competitiveness against the perennial champion Nittany Lions.
Why it matters
Oklahoma State has long been one of the top wrestling programs in the country, but has struggled to dethrone Penn State as the NCAA champion in recent years. This runner-up finish demonstrates that the Cowboys are closing the gap and emerging as a legitimate threat to Penn State's dominance on the national stage.
The details
Oklahoma State crowned three individual champions at the NCAA tournament, including true freshman Jax Forrest. The Cowboys' strong performance, led by their young talent, indicates the program is on an upward trajectory and poised to challenge Penn State's reign atop college wrestling in the coming years.
- The 2026 NCAA Wrestling Championships were held on March 20-22 in Cleveland, Ohio.
The players
Jax Forrest
A true freshman wrestler for Oklahoma State University who won an individual NCAA championship.
Oklahoma State University
A prominent college wrestling program that finished as the runner-up to Penn State at the 2026 NCAA Championships.
Penn State University
The perennial NCAA wrestling champion that has dominated the sport in recent years.
What they’re saying
“We're all just some killers who wanna win”
— Jax Forrest
What’s next
Oklahoma State will look to build on this strong performance and challenge Penn State for the NCAA team title in the coming years.
The takeaway
Oklahoma State's runner-up finish at the 2026 NCAA Wrestling Championships demonstrates the program's growth and ability to compete with the dominant Penn State team, signaling a potential shift in the balance of power in college wrestling.
