“With all his accolades, Ben certainly brings a lot of wrestling credentials to the table,” Charles said. “Ben’s influences on our program will be another valuable tool to help prepare our student-athletes to compete at a high level and to become national champions. He is very accomplished at all levels of wrestling and I feel that his knowledge will go a long way in helping our young men mature on the mats and reach their goals of success. I feel Ben will be vital in helping us move in the right direction as we look to put the Sun Devils back on top in the Pac-10 and the NCAA standings.”
Askren was one of the elite collegiate competitors in the nation during his time at Missouri (2003-07) where his exciting style of wrestling led him to the finals of the 174-pound weight class at the NCAA Championships four times. A three-time Big 12 champion, Askren won the national title in each of his last two seasons by winning 87 matches in a row and pinning numerous foes. For his dominance, he was named the Dan Hodge Winner twice while also collecting the Schalles Award (Best Pinner) twice.
Askren, who competed with a very unique style which many called ‘funk’, built a career record of 153-7 in Columbia with 93 wins by fall (fourth-best in NCAA history) while also posting a national record of 18-consecutive wins by fall in the first period. A four-time NWCA All-Academic and four-time Academic All-Big XII honoree, Askren spent the past two years as a volunteer assistant coach with the Tigers while training for and competing in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where the member of Team USA went 1-1 in the 74kg freestyle competition.
Since his Olympic run, Askren has continued competing in several events, including grappling and mixed martial arts. Currently the Bellator Welterweight Champion, Askren won gold for Team USA at the 2009 World Grappling Championships in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., defeating fellow American Jacob Volkmann in the final of the 84kg no-Gi division.
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