Co-founder of AWA and a highly decorated 2008 U.S. Olympic Freestyle team member, Ben Askren, is one of the most well known wrestlers in the United States. After being a four-year starter at 174 lbs for Missouri (2004 -2007), and a four year college coach, Askren moved back to Wisconsin to train at Roufusport MMA and help coach at AWA.
Askren put together an impressive collegiate career that saw him advance to the finals of the 174-pound weight class four times and capturing the national title in each of his last two seasons in Columbia (2006 and 2007).
The four-time All-American and three-time Big XII champion was a dominant force in his final two seasons as he went undefeated and won 87 matches in a row, which ranks among the Top 10 all-time in NCAA history. Along with 93 career wins by fall, Askren also collected an NCAA record by pinning 18-consecutive opponents in the first period of their matches.
For his success on the mats as a junior and senior, Askren was honored by W.I.N. Magazine as its Dan Hodge Award winner, an award given annually to the top collegiate wrestler. In those same years, Askren won the Schalles award twice for the NCAA’s ‘best pinner’ as well as the Outstanding Wrestler award at the 2006 NCAA Championships. He completed his career with a record of 153-7 and added four Academic All-Big XII honors to his mantle.
After earning his degree from MU in 2007, Askren remained in Columbia and served as a volunteer assistant coach, working along side coach Shawn Charles for two years before both went to Tempe, AZ to coach at Arizona St. Additionally, he and Max began their wrestling camps, allowing kids a glimpse of the highly stylized approach toward the sport of wrestling. Simultaneously, during his two years after graduating, Askren continued to hone his skills and went on to capture the 74kg freestyle championship at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials. With the victory came a spot on the Team USA roster and trip to the Beijing Olympics where he posted a 1-1 record on the world’s largest stage.
Ben was a two-time Wisconsin Champ in 2001 & 2002, and also was a three-time high school All-American (2000-02). During his prep days, he won the 2002 Junior National tournament and was the runner-up at the High School Nationals while also taking fourth in the FILA Junior Freestyle Nationals. One year prior, he also took fourth in the FILA Cadet Freestyle Nationals and was fifth in the 2000 Cadet Greco-Roman Nationals.
Ben was also a Bellator Welterweight World Champion, and is scheduled to make his UFC debut in March of 2019. He is currently an assistant coach of the Askren Wrestling Academy. Ben is the camp director of the Askren Wrestling Academy (AWA) Camps and teaches the unique Pillars of A.W.A. that includes a focus of long-term success through “total wrestling”, fundamentals, and experimentation
| 2008 U.S. Champion and U.S. Olympian (74kg freestyle) | Won 18-consecutive matches by fall in the first period (NCAA record) |
| Two-time NCAA Champion for Missouri at 174 pounds (2006, 2007) | Undefeated over his last two years of competition at MU |
| Four-time NCAA finalist and All-American (2004-07) | Won his last 87 matches in a row (Top 10 in NCAA history) |
| Three-time Big XII Conference champion | Four-time NWCA All-Academic selection |
| Two-time Dan Hodge Award winner | Four-time Academic All-Big XII selection |
| Two-time Schalles Award winner | Graduated from Missouri in 2007 |
| Career 153-7 record at MU | Won 93 matches by fall (fourth-most in NCAA history) |
Amazing coaching. Incredible people. Ben is super technical and approachable. All-around great experience.”Stephen Gavin