Final X 2025: Vito Arujau, Jax Forrest best-of-three rescheduled

Vito Arujau and Jax Forrest will reschedule their Final X series at a later date due to an injury for Arujau. Final X, which determines the Team USA spots, is scheduled for June 14th in Newark, NJ.

Arujau and Forrest will do a best-of-three series for the 61 KG spot on the Senior Team. But, they’ll have to wait a little bit longer. USA Wrestling released a statement on the matter.

“2024 World bronze medalist Vito Arujau (Ithaca, N.Y./Spartan Combat RTC/Titan Mercury WC) has requested and received a delay for his 2025 Final X best-of-three championship series against Jax Forrest (Johnstown, Pa./Cowboy RTC/Titan Mercury WC) at 61 kg in men’s freestyle,” the statement read. “Arujau was scheduled to face Forrest at Final X at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. on Saturday, June 14. 

“The date and location for their delayed Final X championship series is not yet determined. The winner of the delayed Final X series between Arujau and Forrest will represent the United States at the 2025 Senior World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia in September at 61 kg.”

Generally, in the case of an injury, the healthier wrestler would be granted the win or spot. But not in Arujau’s case.

“According to the approved 2025 World Team Trials Qualification & Procedures – Men’s Freestyle, “only a 2024 Senior World Medalist or 2024 Olympic Medalist, who earned an automatic berth into the Final X, may request a medical delay for competing in the Final X Wrestle-Off,” the statement read. “Arujau has complied with the timing requirement for the delay, in which “the request for delay must occur at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled weigh-in time.” As is also required, Arujau’s delay request was “submitted in writing to the respective Sport Committee Chair for review, to include a written certification of the injury or illness from a USA Wrestling-approved medical doctor.”

“At this time, the date, time and place for their Final X series has not been set. According to the procedures, “the National Coach and athletes involved shall determine the date, time, and place for the Final Wrestle-Off. If consensus cannot be reached, the Men’s Freestyle Sport Committee shall make this determination.”

Men’s Freestyle Final X

57 KG: Spencer Lee (Hawkeye WC) vs. Luke Lilledahl (Nittany Lion WC)
61 KG: Vito Arujau (Spartan Combat) vs. Jax Forrest (Cowboy RTC)
65 KG: Joey McKenna (Cowboy RTC) vs. Real Woods (Cliff Keen WC)
70 KG: Yianni Diakomihalis (Spartan Combat) vs. PJ Duke (Titan Mercury Wrestling Club)
74 KG: Mitchell Mesenbrink (Nittany Lion WC) vs. David Carr (Cyclone Regional Training Center)
79 KG: Evan Wick (SoCal RTC) vs. Levi Haines (Nittany Lion Wrestling Club)
86 KG: Zahid Valencia (Cowboy RTC) vs. Kyle Dake (Nittany Lion Wrestling Club)
92 KG: Trent Hidlay (Wolfpack RTC) vs. Josh Barr (Nittany Lion Wrestling Club)
97 KG: Kyle Snyder (Nittany Lion WC) vs. Hayden Zillmer (Gopher Wrestling Club)
125 KG: Wyatt Hendrickson (Cowboy RTC) vs. Trent Hillger (Gopher Wrestling Club)

Women’s Freestyle Final X

50 KG: Audrey Jimenez (Lehigh Valley Wrestling RTC) vs. Erin Golston (New York Athletic Club)
53 KG: Brianna Gonzalez (Iowa Women’s WC) vs. Felicity Taylor (Titan Mercury Wrestling Club)
55 KG: Cristelle Rodriguez (Tiger WC) vs. Everest Leydecker (Thorobred Wrestling Club)
57 KG Helen Maroulis (Rockville, Md.) vs. Amanda Martinez (Cardinal WC)
59 KG: Abigail Nette (U.S. Army WCAP) vs. Jacarra Winchester (US Olympic Training Center)
62 KG: Kayla Miracle (Valiant WC) vs. Adaugo Nwachukwu (Army WCAP)
65 KG: Macey Kilty (Iowa Women’s WC) vs. Aine Drury (New York AC)
68 KG: Kennedy Blades (Hawkeye WC) vs. Brooklyn Hays (US Olympic Training Center)
72 KG: Alexandria Glaude (Beaver Dam RTC) vs. Amit Elor (Titan Mercury Wrestling Club)
76 KG: Kylie Welker (Iowa Women’s WC) vs. Dymond Guilford (US Olympic Training Center)