06/07/2026
Before he built a wrestling empire, built one of the most decorated careers in NCAA history.
🏆 2x NCAA Champion
🏆 4x NCAA Finalist
🏆 4x All-American
🏆 2x Dan Hodge Trophy Winner
🏆 2x Wade Schalles Award Winner
🏆 2008 Olympian
🏆 87-Match Win Streak (Top 10 in NCAA History)
Ben Askren became the first wrestler in University of Missouri history to earn four All-American honors and the first Tiger wrestler to compete in the Olympic Games.
After finishing as NCAA runner-up as both a freshman and sophomore, Ben dominated the sport during his final two seasons, winning 87 consecutive matches and capturing back-to-back NCAA titles in 2006 and 2007. He finished his collegiate career with a remarkable 153-7 record, including 93 falls and an NCAA record streak of 18 consecutive first-period pins.
Long before his college success, Ben was a two-time Wisconsin state champion and three-time All-American at Arrowhead High School.
But his impact on wrestling didn't stop when his competitive career ended.
In 2011, Ben joined forces with his brother Max Askren and coach John Mesenbrink to launch Askren Wrestling Academy. Since then, AWA has grown into one of the nation's premier wrestling clubs, producing:
🔥 162 Wisconsin State Champions
🔥 3 NCAA Division I National Champions
🔥 Countless athletes who have gone on to compete at the highest levels of the sport
In 2025, Ben faced his toughest battle yet after being diagnosed with necrotizing pneumonia, a rare and severe illness that led to a double lung transplant. Following months of fighting, Ben was released from the hospital on July 22 and continues his recovery at home.
Wrestling has always been about resilience, perseverance, and overcoming adversity. Ben's story continues to embody all three.
