Ben Askren Qualifies for 2008 Olympics
6/15/2008 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
June 15, 2008
LAS VEGAS, Nev.- Competing at 74 kg, Ben Askren (Hartland, Wis.) became the first Missouri graduate to qualify for the Olympics in the sport of wrestling, doing so with a back-to-back wins by decision over former Oklahoma State grappler Tyrone Lewis at the Thomas & Mack Center on the University of Nevada campus. Askren is only the second Missouri wrestler to qualify for the Olympics and first since 1991 All-American Sam Henson captured a silver medal at the 2000 Olympics in the 54 kg weight class.
One of seven freestyle wrestlers that will represent Team USA in Beijing, China, Askren went 3-0 at the all-day tournament. Seeded No. 1 in his weight class, Askren, wrestling for Sunkist Kids, held off No. 9 seed Donny Pritzlaff of the New York Athletic Club, by decision, 3-0 and 1-1. Advancing in the championship bracket, Askren topped No. 5 seed Ramico Blackmon, also of the New York Athletic Club, 1-0 and 2-1. The final match paired Askren with second-seeded Lewis. In a best-of-three series, Askren won the first two bouts of round one, 2-0 and 1-0 to record the win. Competing in round No. 2, Askren lost the first bout 6-2, but rattled off a 2-0 and 1-0 win to earn his first Olympic bid. The 2008 Olympics will begin August 8, 2008. Freestyle wrestling will begin Saturday, August 16.
Askren became Missouri's first National Champion after capturing the 174 pound title as a junior in 2006. The Tiger grappler repeated the feat as a senior in 2007.
2008 All-American Maxwell Askren (Hartland, Wis.) made his first Olympic Trials appearance and wrestled at 96 kg. Askren went 0-2 as the No. 5 seed. Sitting out the first round with a bye, Askren met at center circle with Damion Hahn (New York Athletic Club) and fell to the consolation bracket after dropping a 1-0, 5-2 match. Askren's second match of the day paired him with Nik Fekete of New York Athletic Club. Askren won the opening bout, 1-0, but lost the final two bouts, 1-1 and 1-1.
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