Tiger Wrestler Christian Forbes Headed to OU
By Mike Moguin
GTR Sports Writer
Being a fan of a college program is often a deciding factor in where to advance your athletic career.
That’s the case with Broken Arrow wrestler Christian Forbes, who is going to the University of Oklahoma after he graduates this spring.
“Growing up, I’ve always been an OU fan (especially in football). My dad grew up watching OU. I have a lot of friends and former teammates that I’ve been on national teams with that are going to OU now,” Forbes said. “Having talked to coaches and being on campus, I felt like it was the place for me to be.
“It kind of felt like home to me and a place I could grow, and the big thing was, during COVID, I thought it would be best to have a place that is close to home. I thought OU would be a great fit.”
Forbes chose the Sooners over Columbia, Arizona State, Virginia and N.C. State.
A runner-up at 106 pounds at the Class 6A state tournament last season, Forbes intends to put on more weight when he arrives in Norman.
“The plan is to redshirt my first year, so they can get me bigger and then after that,” Forbes said. “I’ll move up to either 125 or 133, depending on how big I get.”
There are no other sports Forbes is involved in at Broken Arrow High School. He is the kind of guy that lives, eats, sleeps and breathes wrestling. What he loves most about the sport is it pushes him mentally and physically.
“It is a very tough sport,” Forbes said. “It is something I have to constantly work at. I think my best skills are that I work hard no matter how I’m feeling, no matter what kind of days I’m having. That’s one of the best things about the sport. You get in what you put in. It’s a very tough sport. I love the team aspect of it, the individual aspect of it, just the whole toughness part of it.”
Without question, that drew OU coaches in the recruiting process.
“I think they saw that I truly love the sport and I’m doing it because I love it not because it is something I have to do,” Forbes said. “They knew I had what it takes to do well in that program and I was willing to put in the work to do it. Now they know that I work hard and that I focus on my wrestling.”
Forbes finished his season campaign with a 25-6 record and a third runner-up finish his high school career after coming up short in a 9-6 decision to Christopher Kiser (31-2) of Ponca City in the Class 6A 106-pound final on Feb. 26.
One thing Forbes has been grateful for has been the privilege to be wrestling for the Jones family at BA.
“It’s amazing. They help me out all the time. They’re always willing to listen and help me improve. I couldn’t ask for better coaches,” Forbes said. “I’m glad they have their dad (Ernie) here now and he can help coach and talk to me after matches and help me understand what I was doing wrong.”
