Jax vs Seidel Wrestling Match: Live Updates & Results – February 15, 2026
- A rematch between two of the nation’s top high school wrestlers, Jax Forrest of Bishop McCort and Aaron Seidel of Northern Lebanon, continues to generate interest even after...
- The initial matchup, the 133-pound championship at the 2025 PIAA State Wrestling Championships, saw Forrest defeat Seidel with a 7-1 decision.
- Both wrestlers entered the PIAA championship with impressive records.
A rematch between two of the nation’s top high school wrestlers, Jax Forrest of Bishop McCort and Aaron Seidel of Northern Lebanon, continues to generate interest even after the initial competition concluded in . A recent post on Facebook by Vt Wrestling indicates ongoing discussion surrounding the rivalry, sparked by a post from DDhokie31.
The initial matchup, the 133-pound championship at the PIAA State Wrestling Championships, saw Forrest defeat Seidel with a 7-1 decision. This victory marked Forrest’s second PIAA Championship title. The contest was particularly notable as a rematch of a prior encounter at the Mid-Winter Mayhem event in , where Forrest also emerged victorious, defeating Seidel 11-4.
Both wrestlers entered the PIAA championship with impressive records. Forrest, ranked No. 2 nationally in the pound-for-pound rankings, had already amassed over 120 career wins. Seidel, prior to the championship match, had not lost a postseason bout in his varsity career. The PIAA finals represented the first time Seidel had not placed first in a postseason event.
The technical aspects of the match, as described by Seidel, centered on scrambling and finishing. Seidel noted that he had been slower on his feet in the previous match, allowing Forrest to score quickly. In the PIAA final, Seidel focused on eliminating early takedowns by Forrest, but ultimately was unable to capitalize on his opportunities. “I was too slow on my feet last time we wrestled, and (Forrest) scored right away. I wasn’t trying to give him two takedowns in 30 seconds like I did last time, I was trying to score right away,” Seidel said. “I think I did a really good job of that. I didn’t finish and he ended up getting three, but I definitely eliminated more takedowns from him.”
Forrest’s path to the championship was also marked by dominant performances, including a fall against Gavin Green in just 1 minute and 36 seconds in the semifinals. Seidel also demonstrated strength in the earlier rounds, outscoring his opponents 39-10 through his first three bouts.
Beyond the immediate result, both wrestlers are looking towards future competition. Seidel expressed confidence in a future rematch, stating, “That’s my last match probably ever — I don’t think there’s anything to be sad about, I’m going to wrestle him in college and I’ll beat him next time.” This suggests both athletes will continue their wrestling careers at the collegiate level.
Forrest has already committed to Oklahoma State Wrestling, joining a program under David Taylor that is rapidly assembling a strong recruiting lineup. He previously competed in the 2024 U.S. Olympic trials in the 57-kg weight class, where he was narrowly defeated by Thomas Gilman 5-4. His commitment to Oklahoma State, coupled with his success at the PIAA championships, positions him as a key athlete to watch in collegiate wrestling.
The broader context of the match highlights the competitive landscape of high school wrestling. Forrest was briefly ranked as the nation’s No. 1 wrestler, before being defeated by Marcus Blaze in the consolations. The rivalry between Forrest and Seidel, and their respective performances, underscore the high level of talent within the sport. The match also drew significant attention, as evidenced by coverage from FloWrestling, including a video of the final bout and social media updates.
The ongoing discussion, as evidenced by the recent Facebook post, suggests continued interest in the careers of both Forrest and Seidel. While the PIAA championship match concluded in , the rivalry and the athletes’ future prospects remain a topic of conversation within the wrestling community. The fact that the match is still being discussed in indicates its lasting impact.
Further complicating the picture at Oklahoma State, reports indicate that both Forrest and Ramirez are traveling to Virginia Tech, though the 133-pound spot on the Oklahoma State roster remains uncertain. This suggests a potential competition for the starting position within the Oklahoma State program, adding another layer of intrigue to Forrest’s collegiate career.
