Ben Askren Hartland, WIS Ben has been training to become the USA’s 163lbs representative for the 2008 Olympics.  He is currently ranked #1 on the senior circuit after impressive showings at the Clansman tournament in Canada and NYAC Holiday International Tournament coming away with two championships.  Ben is currently training to compete in the World Cup at the end of the month.  Ben has been traveling across the US to train with the best and develop into a superior freestyle wrestler.

Dear Missouri Wrestling Community,

My name is Ben Askren and I am writing on behalf of the Missouri Wrestling Foundation.  Not being a native of Missouri, I didn’t know what to expect from the Missouri wrestling community when I made the decision to attend the University of Missouri.  Since I came here over 5 years ago, I have felt like the Missouri wrestling community adopted me as one of their own. 

When I graduated last spring from Mizzou, I had various offers to wrestle, coach and fight all over the United States.   Last spring the Missouri Wrestling Foundation was also started.  Its first fund raising effort was the silent auction/dinner before the Big 12 tournament.  With the generosity of many prominent people in the Missouri wrestling community the Missouri Wrestling Foundation raised close to $50,000.  Part of this money is used to help me in my quest to win a gold medal in Beijing.  I am writing to express my gratitude and also ask for your help and generosity for the 2008 silent auction/dinner.  Our goal is to have another successful fundraising effort for the Missouri Wrestling Foundation on March 28th.  I know some of the future goals are to fund more elite athletes who will come in and train in Columbia. Gary Mayabb and I will be putting on free freestyle and Greco clinics this spring.  The foundation will also continue to provide scholarships for Cadet and Junior national competitors.

The long term vision of the Missouri Wrestling Foundation is to have many world class wrestlers training at the University of Missouri.  If this vision can be reached then every young aspiring Missouri youth wrestler will have outstanding role models to inspire them to greatness in our sport.  I hope to see the Missouri wrestling community out to support us at this year’s banquet.  Thank you again for enabling me to train full time for gold in 2008.  I can’t wait to bring that shiny gold medal back to the great state of Missouri. 

                                                                                                           
Sincerely,
                                                                       
Ben Askren