Two of the greatest competitors ever to wear a black and gold singlet, Keegan O’Toole and Ben Askren, have officially announced their retirements from wrestling after competing at RAF 11.
For current Tiger fans, O’Toole’s retirement marks the end of one of the most decorated careers in program history. The Wisconsin native was a two-time NCAA champion, five-time NCAA All-American and the program’s second-winningest wrestler of all time.
Beyond collegiate success, O’Toole established himself as one
of the world’s best freestyle wrestlers, capturing both U20 and U23 World Championship titles after an accomplished prep career that included four Wisconsin state championships, a Fargo junior national title and a Super 32 championship. While O’Toole’s days of competing on the mat are over, his impact on Tiger Style is far from finished. See his Rock M’my nomination for Best Coach.
He will remain with Mizzou as an assistant coach for the second straight season. His transition from superstar athlete to coach has given head coach Brian Smith another proven leader in the room and provides continuity for one of the nation’s top programs.
O’Toole’s retirement comes alongside another wrestling legend stepping away from competition. Askren, whose career helped elevate the Tigers into a national power, officially closes the book on one of the most accomplished resumes in school history. Askren became Mizzou’s first two-time NCAA champion, winning national titles in 2006 and 2007 while reaching the NCAA finals in four consecutive seasons.
He was a four-time All-American, three-time Big 12 champion and a two-time Dan Hodge Trophy winner, college wrestling’s highest individual award. His dominance carried into freestyle, where he won the 2008 U.S. Senior National Championship and the 2008 Olympic Team Trials while collecting multiple international medals.
Although Askren later became widely known for his mixed martial arts career, his wrestling legacy has always remained intertwined with Mizzou Athletics. He was inducted into the University of Missouri Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012.
Together, O’Toole and Askren represent two different eras that helped define Tiger Style. Askren laid the foundation for the Tigers’ rise on the national stage, while O’Toole carried that tradition forward by becoming one of the sport’s most consistent champions. As one legend continues a new chapter on Mizzou’s coaching staff and another officially closes an unforgettable competitive career, their combined impact will continue to shape the Tigers’ culture for years to come.
