Mike Benefiel

Weight:
184
Class:
First-Year
Hometown:
Aurora, Ill.
High School:
Montini Catholic

2007-08: Redshirted ... Went 19-4 while wrestling unattached ... Went 3-1 at Eastern Michigan Open ... 4-0 record at Michigan State Open ... Posted 4-0 record at Missouri Open with two pins ... 4-1 at Cleveland State Open ... 4-2 at Midlands Championships.

High School: Career record 200-4 ... Became just the ninth person in Illinois state history to win the state wrestling title all four years of high school with titles at 119 lbs., 140 lbs., 152 lbs. and 171 lbs. ... Holds record for wins in a high school career with 200 ... Beat out Sean Bormet, his wrestling club coach, by going undefeated senior year and breaking the record for most wins in a season ... Finished career on a 123-match winning streak ... Won Dave Schultz High School Excellence Award for high school seniors who demonstrate excellence in wrestling, scholastic achievement, character, citizenship and community service ... Cadet National Freestyle Champion (2004) ... Ironman Champion (2004) ... All-American at Junior Freestyle National Championships (2006) ... Member of Illinois National Championship Junior Dual team (2006) ... Rated No. 1 high school prospect at 160 lbs., No. 6 overall by Intermatwrestle.com and No. 1 at 171 lbs. by Wrestling International Newsmagazine ... Went 10-0 at Asics Tiger Junior Nationals and only surrendered two points throughout the entire competition.

Personal: Born Michael Benefiel ... Son of Dr. Dan and Reneé Benefiel ... High school teammate of former Wildcat Vincent Coletti ... Chose Northwestern over Minnesota, Iowa State, Illinois, Wisconsin, Virginia Tech, Nebraska and Michigan ... Majoring in economics.