BADGER REGIONAL TRAINING CENTER

Ben Askren and the University of Wisconsin wrestling program are working together on training future Olympians in Wisconsin.

Askren is the coach of the Badger Regional Training Center, which has recently signed eight wrestlers to be resident athletes, training full-time in preparation for the 2020 Olympic qualifying season and beyond.

Badger Regional Training Center athletes use the Wisconsin facilities and get coaching from Badgers coaches. In turn, Wisconsin wrestlers are also training partners for the Olympic hopefuls. Askren, a Hartland, Wis., native, was a 2008 Olympian in freestyle wrestling.

Tuesday at Aquinas, Askren said there have been many changes in the way the center will operate over the past year, and they’re ready to get started.

“I love coaching, it’s my favorite thing I do,” Askren said.