OUTLOOK: Returning to the lineup at 141 pounds is sophomore Ashtin Primus. Primus wrestled at 141 pounds as a true freshman and moved up one weight class last year gaining valuable tournament experience at the 149-pound weight class. In two years, Primus has pinned 34 of his opponents, 14 recorded last year as a redshirt.
"Ashtin did a lot of maturing in his redshirt season," Missouri Head Coach Brian Smith said. "He wrestled at 141 pounds as a true freshman and pinned 20 of his opponents. That's amazing for a true freshman. Our coaching staff is expecting Asthin to step right back into the lineup and make an immediate impact. We'll be counting on his points to help us in our hunt for an NCAA title."
2007-08: Primus, along with sophomore teammate Tyler Perry, used the 2007-08 season as a redshirt year. Competing in the 149-pound weight class, Primus placed among the top-six in five tournaments. Primus earned the Roger Denker Open title on Jan. 18, defeating Lorenzo Mundy from Pratt Community College by fall in 48 seconds in the semifinals. He also took first at the Missouri Valley College Open on Feb. 2, defeating then-teammate Rudy Galarza by decision, 4-3, in the championship round. Primus also recorded a second place showing at the Lindenwood Open on Oct. 27 and managed third place finishes at the Central Missouri Open on Nov. 11 and the Dana Open on Jan. 5. By the close of the season, 20 of Primus' matches had been won by way of major decision, technical fall or fall. In addition, Primus closed out his campaign with a 10-match win streak in which four of his wins came by fall. Primus' fastest fall of the year came in 38 seconds when he pinned Nebraska's Chris Hacker at the Dana Open.
2006-07: One of two freshmen to compete in their first year of collegiate wrestling, Primus recorded 30 wins, with 20 coming by way of fall. Missouri's 141-pound starter, Primus recorded a string of five straight wins by pin and managed three more falls on the season than current career falls holder Ben Askren recorded in his first season with the Tigers (17). Primus ranks third in the Missouri season falls record book and his fastest fall of the campaign came Feb. 9 against Mike Whisler of Northern Iowa in Missouri's fourth home dual of the season. Competing in five tournaments, Primus took first at the Lindenwood Open, Oct. 27 and had third-place showings at the Central Missouri State University (CMSU) Open, Missouri Open, University of Northern Iowa (UNI) Open and Southern Scuffle.
HIGH SCHOOL: Wrestling at Connesville Area High School under Head Coach Tom Dolde, Jr., Primus earned back-to-back state titles in the 140-pound weight class his junior (2005) and senior (2006) seasons. In his freshman (2003) and sophomore (2004) campaigns, Primus took fourth at the Pennsylvania State Championships. Primus' team, the Falcons, took the Pennsylvania State Title in 2005 and ranked sixth in the nation. A four-time letterwinner, Primus finished among the top four of his weight class at the Beast of the East tournament, finishing third in two years of competition. In addition to wrestling, Primus was a member of the cross country team.
PERSONAL: Born in Mt. Pleasant, Pa., to Daniel and Sharon Primus, he is the youngest of five children. Ashtin is younger brother to Danell (30), Amy (28), Shanna (23) and Ashley (21). Primus' sister Amy is a member of the Seton Hill cross country team. Primus is currently undecided on his major.
