Jax Forrest wins opening round of U.S. Olympic Team Trials

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (WTAJ) – A few days ago, Bishop McCort’s Jax Forrest was sitting in his Algebra 2 class. Now, the high school sophomore has won his first wrestling match in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials.

“It’s crazy how everything works out, but (I’m) just blessed,” Forrest said.

Forrest dominated in the opening round against former Nebraska wrestler Liam Cronin, winning 10-0. The packed Bryce Jordan Center crowd erupted after Forrest scored a takedown to seal the win.

“I was just trying to stay calm. I didn’t want to get too high or, you know, something would have went bad too,” Forrest said. “It just seems like everything’s kind of falling in place where I wanted to be.”

He’s not concerned with all of the noise and hype surrounding him as he enters his next match against 2020 Olympic Bronze Medalist Thomas Gilman.

“I don’t really care about the age. I don’t care that I’m skinny. I don’t care if I look different than people,” Forrest said. “I’m just going to go out and wrestle the best that I can and wrestle hard and score as many points as I possibly can.”

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If Forrest defeats Gilman, he will advance to the semi-finals in the 57 kilogram bracket.

“No pressure on me. I mean, the pressure’s on him,” the 17-year-old said. “I’m just going to go out there and just wrestle. You know, I’m not expected to win. He has all the accomplishments, and I’ve won one match here.”

The U.S. Team Trials run until Saturday evening at the Bryce Jordan Center.

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