Oklahoma State's Jax Forrest Delivers Dominant Tech Fall Win Over Iowa's Drake Ayala

The freshman wrestling star sent a strong message after his victory over the two-time NCAA finalist.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Jax Forrest, a standout freshman wrestler at Oklahoma State University, delivered an impressive 19-3 technical fall victory over Iowa's Drake Ayala, a two-time NCAA finalist, in a highly anticipated matchup. Following the win, Forrest took to social media to send a bold message, stating "I've known, but now you know 😉 AO1." Forrest's dominant performance was part of Oklahoma State's 32-11 dual victory over Iowa.

Why it matters

Forrest's victory over the highly ranked Ayala is a significant accomplishment for the young wrestler, showcasing his talent and potential as he begins his collegiate career. Oklahoma State's win over Iowa also highlights the strength of their wrestling program, which will look to defend its Big 12 Conference title at the upcoming championships.

The details

Forrest, a standout at Bishop McCort High School where he won two state titles, has been impressive in his debut season at Oklahoma State. His record now stands at a perfect 10-0, including two wins over top-10 opponents. In the match against Ayala, Forrest credited his coaches for suggesting a different warm-up approach that helped him find his "flow state" and dominate the bout.

  • Forrest's victory over Ayala came on Sunday, February 23, 2026.
  • The Big 12 Wrestling Championships are scheduled for March 6-7, 2026 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where Oklahoma State will look to defend its conference title.

The players

Jax Forrest

A standout freshman wrestler at Oklahoma State University, Forrest has a perfect 10-0 record so far this season, including two wins over top-10 opponents.

Drake Ayala

A two-time NCAA finalist wrestler for the University of Iowa, Ayala has struggled this season with a 4-4 record at 133 lbs.

Oklahoma State University

The Cowboys wrestling program, which is aiming to defend its Big 12 Conference title at the upcoming championships in Tulsa.

University of Iowa

The Hawkeyes wrestling team, which fell to Oklahoma State 32-11 in the dual meet.

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What they’re saying

“I've known, but now you know 😉 AO1”

— Jax Forrest (Instagram)

“I trusted the coaches, and they suggested a different warm-up approach. Last week, I didn't raise my heart rate enough, so my legs felt tired and I started slow. This week against Dayton, I pushed my lungs and legs hard to get tired beforehand, ensuring the moment wouldn't overwhelm me.”

— Jax Forrest, Oklahoma State Wrestler

What’s next

Forrest and the Oklahoma State wrestling team will compete at the Big 12 Championships in Tulsa, Oklahoma on March 6-7, 2026, where they will look to defend their conference title.

The takeaway

Jax Forrest's dominant victory over the highly ranked Drake Ayala showcases the young wrestler's immense talent and potential, and highlights the strength of the Oklahoma State wrestling program as they gear up to defend their Big 12 Conference championship.