By Emily Gatewood
University of Missouri
Senior 174 pound defending National Champion Ben Askren (Hartland, Wis.) was named to the 2007 Big 12 Conference Winter Sports Good Works Team as announced by the league office. This honor is given in recognition of the community service efforts by Big 12 student-athletes. Askren, one of only three males named to the team, was the sole wrestler represented in the 12-member class that consisted of individuals participating in men’s basketball, women’s basketball, swimming and diving and gymnastics.
Each member institution of the Big 12 Conference selected a student-athlete for recognition based upon significant community service, good academic standing and participation in a Big 12 sponsored event.
Askren, a three-time Academic All-Big 12 honoree, has given his time not only to Columbia but communities across the nation. Last Friday, Askren, the current Student Athletic Advisory Council (SAAC) President, participated in the Cedar Ridge Read-A-Thon. This came two days after he was involved in the Starlight Reading program during which Askren read via satellite to elementary school children across the state of Missouri. Among Askren’s other list of activities, he was an active member in the Shepard Elementary School Fundraiser this past fall and along with his teammates aided in the Hurricane Katrina apartment restoration program in St. Louis (2005). Askren has completed public service announcements for alcohol and drug awareness, as well as Internet safety, and has helped in numerous fundraisers for the Mid-Missouri Food Bank and Granny House. A tutor in the Total Person Program, Askren also serves as a camp counselor in Missouri Head Coach Brian Smith’s TigerStyle wrestling camps as well as aiding support in numerous other camps across the country.
Askren is currently 32-0 on the season and owns a 77-consecutive win streak that dates back to the start of his junior campaign. The 2006 Hodge Award winner and NCAA Most Outstanding Wrestler, Askren has pinned 25 opponents this season, tying the Missouri season falls record he set one year ago. This season alone, Askren has been named Big 12 Wrestler of the Month and claimed both Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational and Southern Scuffle titles.
Name Class School Sport
LaToya Wyatt Sr. Baylor Women’s Basketball
Jackie McFarland Jr. Colorado Women’s Basketball
Janet Anson Sr. Iowa State Gymnastics
Hannah McMacken So. Kansas Women’s Swimming and Diving
Clent Stewart Jr. Kansas State Men’s Basketball
Ben Askren Sr. Missouri Wrestling
Kelsey Griffin So. Nebraska Women’s Basketball
Courtney Paris So. Oklahoma Women’s Basketball
Destanie Sykes Sr. Oklahoma State Women’s Basketball
Daniel Rohleder Jr. Texas Men’s Swimming and Diving
Katy Pounds Jr. Texas A&M Women’s Basketball
Alesha Robertson Sr. Texas Tech Women’s Basketball
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