Tagen Jamison is a proud member of the Choctaw Nation and a Division I wrestler at Oklahoma State University. From an early age, Jamison has pursued excellence in athletics, balancing the demands of one of the toughest sports with his deep cultural identity, family values, and academic ambitions.
Tagen was first introduced to wrestling by his brother who competed. His father encouraged him to give it a try, taking him to practice several times a week. Watching the sport quickly hooked him, and wrestling soon became more than just a pastime—it became a lifelong passion. His father’s enthusiasm and involvement helped deepen that connection, making the sport a shared bond between them.
“I’ve looked up to my father in my life, so definitely him being into it probably helped me even fall in love with it faster and more,” said Tagen.
By the time Tagen was eight or nine, he began competing in youth tournaments, testing himself against some of the best young wrestlers in the state. Though he didn’t always win, his repeated success in placing among the top competitors fueled his dream of wrestling at the collegiate level. That dream became more concrete in high school, when he stepped away from other sports like football and baseball to focus entirely on wrestling.
Tagen’s journey has been shaped by sacrifice and support from his family. In high school, his parents prioritized his training by moving him closer to quality coaching opportunities. His father immersed himself in learning about nutrition, recovery, and training methods, while his mother relocated with him to Texas to ensure he had access to the best resources. Their dedication and the foundation they provided allowed him to pursue wrestling at the highest levels.
“My mom sacrificed time with my dad and moved with me to Texas so that I could have the best coaching,” Tagen said with gratitude.
As a first-generation college student, Tagen also carried the responsibility of setting a new path for his family. His introduction to Oklahoma State University came at age twelve, when he attended its renowned wrestling camps. Meeting legendary coach John Smith inspired him to set clear goals for himself. By his sophomore year of high school, he began achieving those milestones, opening doors to Division I programs across the country.
“I made it a goal to win the tournaments that I needed to win,” said Tagen. “If you win those, you really have your pick of where you want to go to school.”
Tagen initially committed to the University of Minnesota, where he experienced life away from home and adapted to new challenges. However, his time there was cut short by a torn ACL. Rather than letting the setback define him, Tagen used recovery as an opportunity to grow mentally, study film, set new goals, and learn to contribute in new ways. The injury ultimately strengthened his resilience and sharpened his mental toughness.
Returning home to Oklahoma and joining OSU’s storied wrestling program fulfilled a childhood dream.
“I’m from Oklahoma. I love Oklahoma, so I wanted to come back to Oklahoma. My family’s here; my friends are here,” he said.
It helps that the OSU wrestling team is a tight-knit family. “They act like they’ve known me my whole life,” said Tagen. “Everybody here, we’re all blood.”
Competing under the guidance of elite coaches and alongside some of the nation’s best wrestlers, Tagen has already achieved significant milestones, including helping his team capture the Big 12 championship and earning top five individual rankings. He describes these victories as career highlights, comparing the thrill of team success to winning the Super Bowl.
“We got on the stage and took pictures with the big trophy. Glitter was falling from the sky. It was awesome,” remembers Tagen.
“Growing up with [vitiligo] was hard for me just because I’m different, and kids obviously noticed it,” said Tagen. “So, growing up with it, I tried to hide it. It’s taken me 22 years, my whole life, to live with it, accept it, and then embrace it.”
Beyond the mat, Tagen remains deeply connected to his Choctaw heritage. He proudly represents the Choctaw Nation, acknowledging the support he has received through healthcare, youth camps, and academic resources. He embraces opportunities to give back, whether through youth wrestling clinics, mentoring younger athletes, or simply sharing his story. He takes pride in being the only Choctaw wrestler on his team, engaging in lighthearted debates with other Native athletes about whose tribe is strongest.
Tagen’s journey has not been without challenges. Living with vitiligo, an autoimmune condition that causes skin discoloration, taught him resilience from a young age. What once made him self-conscious has become a source of strength, shaping his mental toughness and giving him confidence in embracing his uniqueness.
Faith also plays a central role in Tagen’s life. Raised in the church, he continues to draw strength from prayer, gratitude practices, and spiritual community with his team. His belief system grounds him through the pressures of balancing academics, athletics, and personal growth.
Currently pursuing a degree in marketing, Tagen dreams of starting his own business after his wrestling career. Yet, his athletic goals remain ambitious—he plans to continue competing beyond college toward the ultimate goal of representing the United States—and the Choctaw Nation—at the 2028 Olympic Games.
“I love representing my heritage, so I try to do it the best way that I can,” said Tagen.
Through discipline, perseverance, and pride in his Choctaw identity, Tagen Jamison exemplifies the spirit of a true competitor. His journey reflects not only his individual determination but also the collective strength of his family, his team, and his tribe—showing that together, they are more.
