It wasn’t the ending AJ Ferrari had envisioned—not this time. The once-unstoppable 3-seed at 197 lbs. entered the semifinals riding a 39-match win streak and carrying the hopes of an entire Cal State Bakersfield program. But in a hard-fought showdown, Iowa’s Stephen Buchanan edged him out 3-0, snapping that epic streak and denying Ferrari a shot at his second national title.

Still, this story isn’t just about the loss—it’s about what happened after.

As Ferrari took in the moment, a wave of support poured in. Not just from his home base in Bakersfield, but from all corners of the wrestling world. Whether it was respect from Iowa fans, messages urging him to return next season, or admiration for the way he handled defeat—one thing was clear: Ferrari may have lost the match, but he won over the wrestling community.

AJ Ferrari makes CSUB history and sparks fan-led rally cry

Before the heartbreak, Ferrari had already etched his name into CSUB history. With his win over #6 Mac Stout, the 197-pounder became the first Roadrunner since 2014 to earn All-American honors. The victory secured him a top-six finish and marked the 46th All-American in program history. Even with the loss, he now sits at 39-2 on the season—an elite mark by any measure.

Despite the semifinal setback, Ferrari remains determined. His next match comes against #15 Joseph Novak, and should he advance, a potential showdown with either #12 Stephen Little or top-seeded Jacob Cardenas could await. With a chance to finish third, his focus remains on closing strong.

That drive and determination struck a chord with fans. “He’ll be back next season for sure,” one supporter confidently posted, summing up the hopeful sentiment shared by many in the community. Another fan added some perspective and advice, noting, “It’s fuel ⛽️ Just get that tempo/workout optimization/ weekly and monthly planning down & come back next year hot—faster and more explosive 💪🏼. You got the genes and the fury/ego, just gotta be smart and intense.”

Fans admired his growth and poise, even in defeat. “Amazing match—not the desired outcome, but you left it all out there. Amazing growth and composure. Can’t wait to watch you finish out the tournament 💪🏽,” one wrote. Ferrari’s story is far from finished. With the final day of the NCAA Championships looming, he still has a chance to climb the podium and further cement his legacy—not just as an All-American, but as a symbol of grit, growth, and resilience.

Some reactions even took on a recruiting tone. “Great work AJ, it’s not finished!!! I really do hope to see you next year in black and yellow!!!” Even fans from rival programs tipped their hats to the CSUB star. “Hella of match man! As an Iowa fan, I have nothing but respect for you. You’ve grown a lot and are one hell of a competitor!”

And if the wrestling world has anything to say about it, AJ Ferrari’s next chapter could be even greater.