By Michael Canan
staff writer
July 1, 2005
Ben Askren’s 4-inch long Afro hairstyle might be the first clue that the Lethal Weapon Wrestling Camp isn’t a typical clinic.
Most wrestling camps are run by veteran coaches, but age didn’t stop the 20-year-old Askren ” a two-time NCAA runner-up ” from launching his own traveling clinic two years ago.
That clinic is coming to Jensen Beach High School on July 6-9.
Askren is used to ignoring his sport’s norms. He is remembered in Wisconsin for his sometimes bizarre and inflammatory antics. And the 174-pound white kid from suburban Milwaukee is growing out his Afro again ” his hair is on its way to being a foot long by next wrestling season.
But Askren, who begins his junior season at Missouri this winter, isn’t all flair. He is a three-time high school All-American and a two-time NCAA All-American. In two seasons at Missouri, he is 66-7.
Jensen Beach wrestling coach Ben Tomes said Askren is expected to win two NCAA championships in his final two years at Missouri. Tomes met Askren while coaching in Milwaukee. He persuaded Askren to bring his camp to the Treasure Coast.
“The one thing I like about him is sometimes you want your kids to get the message of hard work and stuff, and a lot of time people equate that with being boring, “Tomes said. “Ben seems to be able to send the message you can still have that drive and that hard work and have a blast.”
Askren said he always has enjoyed teaching wrestling. Two years ago he returned to his high school alma mater to put on a wrestling camp. Last year, he increased to five camps, and this year he has 11 to 12 camps scheduled.
“I really like to see people reach their own goals, “Askren said. “They work so hard for something and when they succeed, it’s awesome for them.”
While it is common for college wrestlers to teach at camps, not many produce their own.
“To do my own camp, it’s a lot of work to get the gym and get insurance, “Askren said. “A lot of people don’t want to take the time to do that. They don’t think that’s worth it. But once you get the first one or two down, it’s all downhill.”
The camps help Askren hone his coaching skills and get his name out in the wrestling community. His goal is to one day coach.
Askren’s techniques ” many of which he invented ” are only part of what he teaches. The goal of the camp is to teach wrestlers to score points from anywhere on the mat. Askren, whose five-day vacation to play disk golf this week is the longest break he has taken from wrestling since seventh grade, also preaches hard work.
But Askren said the camp won’t be all technical talk and lecturing. He tries to infuse his own personality into his camps ” the same personality that once inspired him to place tape on wrestling mats and try to pin his opponent as close as possible to the tape.
“Of course we’ll have a good time, “Askren said. “You know they’re going to learn. They’ll see some things they won’t learn from anyone else for a real cheap price. But it’s very important to have fun. If the kids don’t have fun, then they’re not going to do it. And if they’re not doing it, they’re not getting better.”
Lethal Weapon Wrestling Camp
WHAT: Wrestling camp focusing on technique and attention to detail
WHO: Wrestlers from fourth grade through high school
WHEN: July 6-9, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
WHERE: Jensen Beach High School
TEACHERS: Two-time NCAA runner-up Ben Askren, university freestyle heavyweight champion Israel Silva and Jensen Beach High School wrestling coach Ben Tomes
COST: $60 per wrestler ($55 if five or more teammates enroll, $50 if 10 or more enroll)
REGISTRATION: Contact Martin County Parks and Recreation Department; wrestlers can register at the first session.
MORE INFO: (772) 221-1419
The Ben Askren file
AGE: 20
HOMETOWN: Hartland, Wis.
WEIGHT CLASS: 174
SCHOOL: University of Missouri
YEAR: Redshirt junior
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Two-time NCAA All-American; two-time NCAA academic All-American; Three-time high school All-American, two-time Wisconsin state champion; Wisconsin state record-holder for takedowns in season and career.
Wrestling Gear
