One of the great innovators of the sport of wrestling, 'Funky' Ben Askren pushed the limits of folkstyle scrambling during his incredible wrestling career at the University of Missouri. Askren was a four-time NCAA finalist and a two-time NCAA Champion, in 2006 and 2007 at 174-pounds, winning the Hodge Trophy in both seasons. Askren was instrumental in leading the Brian Smith-coached Tiger program to national prominence.
Early Line-up Look: Missouri Tigers
May 10, 2023
Head coach: Brian SmithAssistants: Tyrel Todd, Kendric Maple, Dom Bradley2023 NCAA tournament finish: 5th2023 NCAA tournament points: 64.52023 NCAA tournament record: 28-182023 Big 12 tournament finish: 1st2023 dual record: 8-3 (7-1)Returning national qualifiers: 8 (Noah Surtin, Josh Edmond, Brock Mauller, Keegan O’Toole, Peyton Mocco, Colton Hawks, Rocky Elam, Zach Elam)Returning All-Americans: 5 (Brock Mauller, Keegan O’Toole, Peyton Mocco, Rocky Elam, Zach Elam)Returning NCAA champion: Keegan O’Toole (2022, 2023)Last NCAA champion: Keegan O’Toole (2023)Highest NCAA team finish: 3rd (2007)Highest NCAA team finish under Smith: 3rd (2007)Most place winners under Smith: 5 (2009, 2013, 2015, 2023)
Jordan Burroughs accepts Final X berth
Apr 6, 2023
Courtesy of USA Wrestling
Read Excerpt From Ben Askren's Biography "Funky"
Oct 25, 2022
Read an excerpt from Ben Askren's recently released autobiography about the two-time Hodge trophy winner and Olympic wrestler's path to wrestling excellence and MMA dominance. Askren's innovative style and brash attitude has made him one of the most polarizing and captivating combat athletes of a generation. Below you can find a chapter of his book "Funky: My Defiant Path Through the Wild World of Combat Sports" about Ben's path to choosing to wrestle for the then unproven Missouri Tiger wrestling program. Askren ultimately would help launch Mizzou into national prominence in wrestling.
Top 100: By The Numbers
Feb 1, 2022
Below is a full listing of FloWrestling's Top 100 American Wrestlers of All Time along with college wrestling affiliations. Several went to multiple colleges, which is why a wrestler may be listed more than once.
8 Epic Matches From The Penn St. vs Iowa Rivalry
Jan 26, 2022
Penn State vs Iowa is an event that transcends the dual meet itself. The annual meeting between the Nittany Lions and the Hawkeyes has become a must-watch experience.
The Top 100 Countdown: 90-81
Nov 12, 2021
The countdown continues as FloWrestling releases its top 100 greatest American wrestlers of all time. The inaugural episode with 10 wrestlers was released on November 4 and will end with the announcement of the greatest wrestler of all-time on January 10, 2022.
The 2020 Year In Review As Told By Holiday Movies
Dec 24, 2020
Can you believe we’ve made it to the final week of 2020?
Bader Show: Elena Pirozhkova, Robby Smith, Ben Askren, and Teague Moore
May 15, 2020
On this episode of The Bader Show, Bader and Bray catch up with Bader Elena Pirozhkova, Robby Smith, Ben Askren, and Teague Moore
Creating The Best Wisconsin D1 Lineup Of All Time
May 8, 2020
A few weeks ago I asked my Twitter followers how they would put together an all-time great college dual team with the current weights using athletes from their home states. The responses were great and really got me curious. So, I did the research and have now putting together the best possible team for some of the top states, including some formidable back-up teams.
Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic Announces Team USA
Feb 18, 2020
The 45th annual Pittsburgh Wrestling Classic, the "Rose Bowl of High School Wrestling," announced the USA All-Star Team that will take on Team Pennsylvania on Saturday, March 14.
T-Row & Funky Episode 91: Live and Worldwide
Nov 16, 2017
Ben is in Singapore for his retirement fight, but that won't stop the T-Row & Funky Show from breaking down the week in news and NCAA Wrestling results!
