picture of Ben Askren

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.

Mark Ellis

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Mark Ellis | The Bader Show (Ep. 205)

Jun 16, 2021

Watch the replay of The Bader Show from Jun 16, 2021 with 2009 NCAA champion Mark Ellis.

0:02 - Welcome Mark Ellis, an NCAA champion at Missouri and current Area Director for the Fellowship of Chrisitan Athletes, Mark Ellis.

0:05 - Mark couldn’t start as a freshman at Raymore-Peculiar High School, but that frustration provided the motivation he needed to propel him the heights he reached later in his career. 

0:09 - Football practice at Missouri wasn’t tough and crazy enough for Mark so he quit the team and joined the wrestling team. 

0:15 - When Mark saw the Mizzou team from 157 up (Chandler, Woodley, Askren, Jordan, & Askren) and absorbed their mindsets he knew he could win a national championship.

0:19 - Fighting for a starting spot with Dom Bradley was ‘miserable’. It was a saga and experience Mark wouldn’t wish upon his worst enemy. 

0:24 - Mark leaned on his team to gain the proper focus and mindset to win an NCAA title. Then was nearly derailed when Metcalf vs Caldwell happened before his finals match.

0:30 - What is the FCA? It is the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Mark has been there since 2017. 

0:35 - What is ‘Truth and Technique’, FCA’s event streaming live on fcawrestling.org, and how to watch it this Friday at 6:00 PM. 

0:38 - Wins and Whoopins with Mark Ellis.