Ben Askren
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Ben Askren is an American amateur wrestler for the University of Missouri. Born in Wisconsin, where he won two state championships, Askren wrestles in the 174 lb. weight class. He lost the NCAA championship match to Chris Pendleton in both 2004 and 2005 before winning it in 2006. He is known for his incredible pinning ability (he holds the single-season NCAA pin record and is on track to achieve the career record, beating Wade Schalles); his massive afro; and his "funky", or unorthrodox, wrestling style. For example, while being ridden in the 2005 championship match, he attempted to reach back and apply a headlock to Pendleton, a move that any wrestling coach would disavow. His tall, lanky body- in sharp contrast to the squat, muscular physiques of most top wrestlers- allows him to attempt moves that most wrestlers could not. His younger brother Max also wrestles for Missouri.
