{{Short description|American wrestler (born 1995)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2021}} {{Infobox sportsperson | name = Anthony Ashnault | image = Anthony Ashnault.jpg | image_size = 200px | caption = Ashnault in 2019 | headercolor = #f66 | fullname = Anthony James Ashnault | ethnicity = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1995|06|25|mf=y}} | birth_place = South Plainfield, New Jersey, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | residence = | height = 5ft 7in | weight = 70 kg | country = United States | sport = Wrestling | rank = | event = Freestyle and Folkstyle | collegeteam = Rutgers | club = Scarlet Knight WC<br> NJRTC | coach = Scott Goodale | coaching = Rutgers (assistant) | pb = | medaltemplates = {{MedalSport | Men's freestyle wrestling}} {{MedalCountry|the {{USA}}}} {{MedalCompetition |Pan American Championships}} {{MedalGold | 2019 Buenos Aires|70 kg }} {{MedalGold | 2020 Ottawa|70 kg }} {{MedalSport | Men's collegiate wrestling}} {{MedalCountry | the}} Rutgers Scarlet Knights {{MedalCompetition|NCAA Division I Championships}} {{MedalGold|2019 Pittsburgh|149 lb}} {{MedalCompetition|Big Ten Championships}} {{MedalGold|2016 Iowa City|141 lb}} {{MedalGold|2017 Bloomington|141 lb}} {{MedalGold|2019 Minneapolis|149 lb}} | show-medals = yes }}
'''Anthony James Ashnault''' (born June 25, 1995)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2019/May/19/Mens-freestyle-World-Team-Trials-Challenge-Tournament-finalist-bios|title=Mens freestyle World Team Trials Challenge Tournament finalist bios|last=Abbott|first=Gary|date=May 19, 2019|website=Team USA|access-date=}}{{dead link|date=September 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> is an American former freestyle wrestler and folkstyle wrestler. He currently is assistant coach for the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.
In freestyle, he was a two-time Pan American Champion, having won the titles in 2019 and 2020.<ref name="ashnault_wins_second_pan_am_2020">{{Cite news|last=Kratch|first=James|url=https://www.nj.com/rutgers/2020/03/rutgers-national-champion-anthony-ashnault-wins-2nd-pan-am-championships-title-qualifies-for-2020-olympic-trials.html|title=Rutgers national champion Anthony Ashnault wins 2nd Pan-Am Championships title, qualifies for 2020 Olympic Trials|date=March 9, 2020|work=NJ.com|access-date=March 19, 2020}}</ref> In folkstyle, he was an NCAA Division I Champion, four-time All-American and three-time Big Ten Champion. He was also a four-time undefeated NJSIAA title holder as a high schooler.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://scarletknights.com/sports/wrestling/roster/anthony-ashnault/6797|title=Anthony Ashnault - Wrestling|website=Rutgers University Athletics|language=en|access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref>
== Folkstyle career ==
=== High school === Ashnault was born in Paramus, New Jersey and attended South Plainfield High School. He remained undefeated all four years of varsity with a record of 170 wins and no losses and went on to win four NJSIAA state titles at four different weight classes (103, 112, 126 & 138).<ref> {{cite news|last=Falk|first=Steven|url=https://www.app.com/story/sports/college/rutgers/2018/04/06/rutgers-anthony-ashnault-granted-sixth-year-eligibility/493527002/|title="Rutgers wrestling: Anthony Ashnault granted sixth year of eligibility"|date=April 6, 2018|work=Asbury Park Press|access-date=March 19, 2020|quote="Rutgers University redshirt senior Anthony Ashnault has been given a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA, it was announced today. The three-time All-American and former South Plainfield High School star will be eligible to wrestle for Rutgers in the 2018-19 season"}}</ref>
=== University === After graduating, Ashnault committed to wrestle as a Scarlet Knight at Rutgers University, where he competed at 141-pounds all years but his senior year, competing at 149 instead.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wrestlestat.com/wrestler/11803/ashnault-anthony/profile|title=Anthony Ashnault (Rutgers) Profile|last=LLC|first=ACS|website=www.wrestlestat.com|language=en-us|access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref> As a redshirt athlete, he compiled a record of 15-3 while wrestling unattached in open tournaments.
As a freshman, he finished the season with 29 wins and 8 losses. Post-season, he placed fifth at the Big Ten Championships, becoming the highest-placing Scarlet Knight at his first tournament.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://bigten.org/documents/2018/6/7/15843__m_wrestl_2014_15_misc_non_event__BigTenChampsCompleteResults.pdf|title=Big Ten Conference|website=Big Ten Conference|language=en|access-date=April 24, 2020}}{{dead link|date=May 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> At the 15' NCAA's, he placed eight, earning All-American honors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nwhof.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/NCAA2015.pdf|title=2015 NCAA D1 Brackets|last=|first=|date=|website=|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190117231134/https://nwhof.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/NCAA2015.pdf |archive-date=January 17, 2019 |access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref>
As a sophomore, he compiled a 33–5 record through season. Brought Rutgers their first individual Big Ten title ever.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://newbrunswicktoday.com/2016/03/07/rutgers-wrestler-becomes-first-big-ten-champion-in-program-history/|title=Rutgers Wrestler Becomes First Big Ten Champion in Program History|last=Logan|first=Scott|date=March 8, 2016|website=New Brunswick Today|language=en-US|access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref> He placed fourth at the 16' NCAA's to become the first two-time All-American in the history of the program.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://shoresportsnetwork.com/rutgers-anthony-perrotti-becomes-two-time-ncaa-all-american/|title=Rutgers' Anthony Perrotti Becomes a Two-Time NCAA All-American|last=Badders|first=Bob|website=Shore Sports Network|date=March 19, 2016 |language=en|access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref>
In his junior season, he posted a record of 30–6, became a three-time All-American with a sixth-place finish at the 17' NCAA Championships<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.trentonian.com/sports/anthony-ashnault-becomes-rutgers-wrestling-s-first-three-time-all-american/article_350fa164-e428-5440-b95e-22c59a7b0166.html|title=Anthony Ashnault becomes Rutgers wrestling's first three-time All-American|last=Trentonian|first=John Bilinski For The|website=The Trentonian|language=en|access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref> and won his second straight Big Ten championship.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/2017/03/anthony_ashnault_2-time_big_ten_champion_wants_to.html|title=RU's Ashnault, 2x B1G champion, wants to 'set a legacy'|last=NJ.com|first=Ryan Dunleavy {{!}} NJ Advance Media for|date=March 6, 2017|website=nj|language=en|access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref> Ashnault was initially unable to compete as a senior and missed the whole season due to an injury.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://scarletknights.com/news/2018/4/6/ashnault-granted-sixth-year-of-eligibility-for-wrestling.aspx|title=Ashnault Granted Sixth Year of Eligibility for Wrestling|website=Rutgers University Athletics|language=en|access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref>
The NCAA granted Ashnault a sixth year of eligibility for the 2018–19 season.<ref name=":1" /> He compiled an undefeated 32–0 record through the season, in which he competed at 149-pounds unlike his previous seasons. He won his third-consecutive Big Ten Championship.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/rutgers/2019/03/rutgers-anthony-ashnault-wins-historic-3rd-title-at-big-ten-championships-has-one-last-hill-to-climb.html|title=Rutgers' Anthony Ashnault wins historic 3rd title at Big Ten Championships, has one last hill to climb|last=NJ.com|first=James Kratch {{!}} NJ Advance Media for|date=March 10, 2019|website=nj|language=en|access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref> Also, he won the prestigious 19' NCAA Championship, becoming the second Scarlet Knight to do so after his teammate Nick Suriano, who won the individual title in his weight class earlier in the tournament.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/college/2019/03/23/anthony-ashnault-finishes-rutgers-wrestling-career-national-title/3238142002/|title=Anthony Ashnault finishes his Rutgers wrestling career with national title|last=Cooper|first=Darren|website=North Jersey|language=en|access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref>
Ashnault graduated that year with a record of 139–22.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.onthebanks.com/2019/3/25/18280324/anthony-ashnault-career-retrospective-rutgers-wrestling-big-ten-ncaa-champion-four-time-all-american|title=Anthony Ashnault: A Career Retrospective|last=Kosko|first=Nick|date=March 25, 2019|website=On the Banks|language=en|access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref>
== Freestyle career == Previous to competing as a senior, Ashnault had already competed multiple times in freestyle wrestling as a junior in competitions such as the FILA (UWW) Nationals and World Trials.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.trackwrestling.com/membership/ViewProfile.jsp?twId=1428451009|title=Anthony Ashnault (South Plainfield, NJ) {{!}} Trackwrestling Profile|website=Trackwrestling|access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref>
=== 2014 === Ashnault won the University Nationals at 65 kilograms,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.trackwrestling.com/opentournaments/MainFrame.jsp?newSession=true&loadBalanced=true&TIM=1587744409938&pageName=|title=2014 ASICS University Nat - FS|last=|first=|date=|website=www.trackwrestling.com|access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref> and was scheduled to compete at a best-of-three qualifier for the World University Championship against Jordan Oliver,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Star-Ledger|first=Joe Kania/ For The|date=June 10, 2014|title=Wrestling: Anthony Ashnault to wrestle-off Jordan Oliver for University World Team spot|url=https://www.nj.com/highschoolsports/article/wrestling-anthony-ashault-to-be-wrestled-off-by-jordan-oliver-for-university-world-team-spot/|access-date=June 19, 2020|website=nj|language=en}}</ref> but Oliver missed weight and was pulled out of the event.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Express-Times|first=Ryan Holmes {{!}} The|date=June 22, 2014|title=Jordan Oliver fails to make weight, will not contend for spot on U.S. Freestyle University World Team|url=https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/sports/2014/06/jordan_oliver_will_not_be_cont.html|access-date=June 19, 2020|website=lehighvalleylive|language=en}}</ref> This earned Ashnault the spot.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/rutgersfootball/2016/11/anthony_ashnault_vs_matthew_kolodzik_at_center_of.html|title=One match could steal show of RU, Princeton wrestling|last=NJ.com|first=Ryan Dunleavy {{!}} NJ Advance Media for|date=November 15, 2016|website=nj|language=en|access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref> He placed tenth at the world-level tournament.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.app.com/story/sports/college/rutgers/2014/07/16/anthony-ashnault/12756609/|title=Rutgers wrestler Anthony Ashnault competed for USA|website=Asbury Park Press|language=en|access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref>
=== 2019 === Ashnault competed at the Pan American Championships on April 18. He defeated every opponent he faced in the bracket at 70 kilograms, winning the championship.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scarletknights.com/news/2019/4/22/wrestling-ashnault-captures-gold-for-team-usa-at-pan-am-championships.aspx|title=Ashnault Captures Gold for Team USA at Pan Am Championships|website=Rutgers University Athletics|language=en|access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref>
Ashnault went on to compete at an exhibition bout at the annual Beat The Streets against 2017 World Championship runner-up James Green. He lost the contest by points (4-8).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2019/May/06/Beat-the-Streets-Results|title=Beat The Streets Results|last=|first=|date=May 6, 2019|website=USA Wrestling|access-date=May 16, 2020}}{{dead link|date=September 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>
Ashnault competed at the World Team Trials Challenge Tournament in an attempt to qualify for the World Championships. He won his first two bouts to reach the finals, in which he faced James Green in a rematch. When Green was rolling Ashnault's legs to get back exposure points, Ashnault suffered a knee injury which led him to a 0-10 technical fall loss and was forced to medical forfeit the second bout, awarding Green the next victory he needed to win the best-of-three.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.flowrestling.org/events/6280563-2019-world-team-trials-challenge-tournament/../../results/6486526-2019-world-team-trials-challenge-tournament/26546|title=See the results for the 2019 World Team Trials Challenge Tournament wrestling event on FloWrestling.org|website=www.flowrestling.org|language=en|access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/rutgers/2019/05/anthony-ashnaults-team-usa-bid-derailed-by-injury-njrtcs-pat-downey-tyler-graff-advance-to-final-x.html|title=Anthony Ashnault's world championships bid derailed by injury; NJRTC's Pat Downey, Tyler Graff advance to Final X|last=NJ.com|first=James Kratch {{!}} NJ Advance Media for|date=May 19, 2019|website=nj|language=en|access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref>
=== 2020 === After recovering from the injury, the defending champion competed at the Pan American Championships in his first competition of the year. Last year's results were repeated as Ashnault defeated every opponent he faced to become a two-time Pan American Champion. This outcome qualified him for the US Olympic Trials.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/rutgers/2020/03/rutgers-national-champion-anthony-ashnault-wins-2nd-pan-am-championships-title-qualifies-for-2020-olympic-trials.html|title=Rutgers national champion Anthony Ashnault wins 2nd Pan-Am Championships title, qualifies for 2020 Olympic Trials|last=NJ.com|first=James Kratch {{!}} NJ Advance Media for|date=March 9, 2020|website=nj|language=en|access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref>
Ashnault was scheduled to compete at the 2020 US Olympic Trials on April, at State College, Pennsylvania, however, the event was postponed until 2021 due to the coronavirus outbreak, along with the Olympics.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scarletknights.com/news/2020/3/31/wrestling-alumni-spotlight-ashnaults-olympic-goal-continues-despite-postponement.aspx|title=Alumni Spotlight: Ashnault's Olympic Goal Continues Despite Postponement|website=Rutgers University Athletics|language=en|access-date=April 24, 2020}}</ref> Ashnault announced that he would attempt to make the team at 65 kilograms, and will do so in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=February 7, 2020|title=#FreestyleFriday: Anthony Ashnault back from injury and ready to compete|url=https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/February/07/Freestyle-Friday-Anthony-Ashnault-returns-from-injury|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312093749/https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/February/07/Freestyle-Friday-Anthony-Ashnault-returns-from-injury |archive-date=March 12, 2020 |access-date=|website=Team USA}}</ref> After the Olympic Trials were postponed for next year, Ashnault had been slated to compete against Luke Pletcher on July 25 at FloWrestling: Dake vs. Chamizo.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=June 19, 2020|title=FloWrestling to host Dake-Chamizo; Taylor-Downey; Ashnault-Pletcher on July 25 in Austin|url=https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/June/19/Dake-v-Chamizo-headlines-Flo-card-in-Austin-on-July-25|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200620233324/https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2020/June/19/Dake-v-Chamizo-headlines-Flo-card-in-Austin-on-July-25 |archive-date=June 20, 2020 |access-date=|website=Team USA}}</ref> However, he was forced to pull out of the event on July 6 due to injury.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=July 6, 2020|title=Breaking: Due to Injury Anthony Ashnault is out of his match against Luke Pletcher on our July 25th card. We are currently looking for a replacement to compete against Luke Pletcher.|url=https://twitter.com/flowrestling/status/1280207524663308289|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706183358/https://twitter.com/FloWrestling/status/1280207524663308289 |archive-date=July 6, 2020 |access-date=July 6, 2020|website=Twitter|language=en}}</ref>
Ashnault was scheduled to wrestle Austin O'Connor at the THWC Open I, on December 4,<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Tar Heel Wrestling Club on Twitter: BIG NEWS O'Connor vs Ashnault. December 4th.|url=https://twitter.com/tarheelwc/status/1327330615511969795|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113192141/https://twitter.com/TarHeelWC/status/1327330615511969795 |archive-date=November 13, 2020 |access-date=November 13, 2020|website=Twitter|language=en}}</ref> but was unable to compete due to conflicts with FloWrestling.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=November 16, 2020|title=Tar Heel Wrestling Club on Twitter: "Due to a conflict with FloWrestling, Anthony Ashnault will not be able to compete on our December 4 card."|url=https://twitter.com/TarHeelWC/status/1328353753188028421|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116165702/https://twitter.com/TarHeelWC/status/1328353753188028421 |archive-date=November 16, 2020 |access-date=|website=Twitter}}</ref> Instead, he came back at the Flo Eight-Man Challenge: 150 pounds, on December 18.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Duckworth|first=Seth|date=October 4, 2020|title=Jordan Oliver to Wrestle in $25,000 Tournament on FloWrestling|url=https://pistolsfiringblog.com/jordan-oliver-to-wrestle-in-25000-tournament-on-flowrestling/|access-date=November 4, 2020|website=Pistols Firing|language=en-US}}</ref> After a close criteria win over '20 US National finalist Evan Henderson, Ashnault was soundly defeated by three-time World Championship medalist Bajrang Punia and '20 Cerro Pelado International champion Alec Pantaleo.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bajrang tops Green to win Flo 8-Man Challenge at 150 pounds|url=http://intermatwrestle.com/articles/24043|access-date=December 19, 2020|website=InterMat}}</ref>
=== 2021 === To start off the year, Ashnault wrestled the 2020 Pan American champion (65 kg) Yianni Diakomihalis on January 8, at the SCRTC I.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Spartan Combat RTC Throwing Down On Jan 8!|url=https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/6849149-spartan-combat-rtc-throwing-down-on-jan-8|access-date=January 3, 2021|website=www.flowrestling.org|date=January 3, 2021 |language=en}}</ref> After getting scored on with two two-point takedowns and a step-out, Diakomihalis scored a five-point slam, driving Ashnault to a technical fall.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=January 8, 2021|title=Dake, Diakomihalis, Dean, Arujau win Main Card bouts on Spartan Combat Wrestling I|url=https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/January/08/Spartan-Combat-card-wrap|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111122513/https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling/Features/2021/January/08/Spartan-Combat-card-wrap |archive-date=January 11, 2021 |access-date=|website=Team USA}}</ref> He then competed at the rescheduled US Olympic Trials in April 2, and after defeating Nahshon Garrett in the first round, he was defeated by top–seeded Zain Retherford and was eliminated by Evan Henderson.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ashnault Wraps Up Action at 2021 U.S. Olympic Team Trials|url=https://scarletknights.com/news/2021/4/5/wrestling-ashnault-wraps-up-action-at-2021-us-olympic-team-trials.aspx|access-date=April 23, 2021|website=Rutgers University Athletics|language=en}}</ref>
Ashnault has registered to come back at the 2021 US World Team Trials on September 10–12, intending to represent the country at the World Championships.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Who's Registered For World Team Trials So Far? - FloWrestling|url=https://www.flowrestling.org/articles/7131421-whos-registered-for-world-team-trials-so-far|access-date=2021-08-18|website=www.flowrestling.org|date=August 10, 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
=== 2026 ===
Ashnault ended his 2024 retirement from competitive wrestling at RAF 08 on April 18, losing 7–2 to Real Woods.<ref name="s928">{{cite web | last=Fowlkes | first=Ben | title=RAF 8 results: Arman Tsarukyan runs Urijah Faber off the mat in lopsided victory, calls out Colby Covington | website=Yahoo Sports | date=April 19, 2026 | url=https://sports.yahoo.com/wrestling/breaking-news/live/raf-8-results-arman-tsarukyan-runs-urijah-faber-off-the-mat-in-lopsided-victory-calls-out-colby-covington-063050967.html | access-date=April 19, 2026}}</ref>
He intended the match with Woods as a one-off prior to his full-time shift to coaching, although Ashnault signed a three-match contract with Real American Freestyle.<ref name="a095">{{cite web | last=Evans | first=Bill | title=Rutgers NCAA wrestling champion returning to mat for 1 more match | website=NJ.com | date=April 17, 2026 | url=https://www.nj.com/rutgers/2026/04/rutgers-ncaa-wrestling-champion-returning-to-mat-for-1-more-match.html | access-date=April 21, 2026}}</ref>
== Major results ==
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" !Year !Tournament !Location !Result !Event |- |2019 |Pan American Wrestling Championships |{{flagicon|ARG}} Buenos Aires, Argentina |align="center" bgcolor="gold" | 1st |Freestyle 70{{nbsp}}kg |- |2020 |Pan American Wrestling Championships |{{flagicon|CAN}} Ottawa, Canada |align="center" bgcolor="gold" | 1st |Freestyle 70{{nbsp}}kg |}
== NCAA record == {{s-start}} ! colspan="8"| NCAA Championships Matches |- ! Res. ! Record ! Opponent ! Score ! Date ! Event |- ! style=background:white colspan=6 |2019 NCAA Championships {{gold1}} at 149 lbs |- |{{yes2}}Win |15-8 |align=left|Micah Jordan |style="font-size:88%"|9-4 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=5|March 20–22, 2019 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=5|2019 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships |- |{{yes2}}Win |14-8 |align=left|Matthew Kolodzik |style="font-size:88%"|2-0 |- |{{yes2}}Win |13-8 |align=left|Jarrett Degen |style="font-size:88%"|10-3 |- |{{yes2}}Win |12-8 |align=left|Davion Jeffries |style="font-size:88%"|7-1 |- |{{yes2}}Win |11-8 |align=left|Malik Amine |style="font-size:88%"|MD 10-2 |- ! style=background:white colspan=6 |2017 NCAA Championships 6th at 141 lbs |- |{{no2}}Loss |10-8 |align=left|Jaydin Eierman |style="font-size:88%"|2-4 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=6|March 15–17, 2017 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=6|2017 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships |- |{{no2}}Loss |10-7 |align=left|Kevin Jack |style="font-size:88%"|1-3 |- |{{no2}}Loss |10-6 |align=left|Dean Heil |style="font-size:88%"|2-4 |- |{{yes2}}Win |10-5 |align=left|Matthew Kolodzik |style="font-size:88%"|6-2 |- |{{yes2}}Win |9-5 |align=left|Luke Pletcher |style="font-size:88%"|8-7 |- |{{yes2}}Win |8-5 |align=left|Mason Smith |style="font-size:88%"|8-3 |- ! style=background:white colspan=6 |2016 NCAA Championships 4th at 141 lbs |- |{{no2}}Loss |7-5 |align=left|Joey McKenna |style="font-size:88%"|6-7 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=6|March 16–18, 2016 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=6|2016 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships |- |{{yes2}}Win |7-4 |align=left|Solomon Chishko |style="font-size:88%"|MD 11-3 |- |{{no2}}Loss |6-4 |align=left|Dean Heil |style="font-size:88%"|3-8 |- |{{yes2}}Win |6-3 |align=left|Chris Mecate |style="font-size:88%"|5-4 |- |{{yes2}}Win |5-3 |align=left|Seth Gross |style="font-size:88%"|MD 15-2 |- |{{yes2}}Win |4-3 |align=left|Jamel Hudson |style="font-size:88%"|TF 16-0 |- ! style=background:white colspan=6 |2015 NCAA Championships 8th at 141 lbs |- |{{no2}}Loss |3-2 |align=left|Dean Heil |style="font-size:88%"|4-9 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=5|March 18–20, 2015 |style="font-size:88%" rowspan=5|2015 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships |- |{{yes2}}Win |3-1 |align=left|Randy Cruz |style="font-size:88%"|3-2 |- |{{no2}}Loss |2-1 |align=left|Mitchell Port |style="font-size:88%"|4-9 |- |{{yes2}}Win |2–0 |align=left|Zachary Horan |style="font-size:88%"|6-3 |- |{{yes2}}Win |1-0 |align=left|Mike Longo |style="font-size:88%"|9-2 {{end}}
=== Stats ===
{{s-start}} ! Season ! Year ! School ! Rank ! Weigh Class ! Record ! Win ! Bonus |- |2019 |Senior |rowspan=4|Rutgers University |#1 (1st) |149 |32-0 |100.00% |59.38% |- |2017 |Junior |#3 (6th) |rowspan=3|141 |30-6 |83.33% |52.78% |- |2016 |Sophomore |#2 (4th) |33-5 |86.84% |47.37% |- |2015 |Freshman |#18 (8th) |29-8 |78.38% |32.43% |- |colspan=5 bgcolor="LIGHTGREY"|'''Career''' |bgcolor="LIGHTGREY"|'''124-19''' |bgcolor="LIGHTGREY"|'''86.84%''' |bgcolor="LIGHTGREY"|'''47.99%''' {{end}}
== Coaching career == On May 23, 2024, it was announced that Ashnault would become assistant wrestling coach for Princeton University.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://goprincetontigers.com/news/2024/5/23/princeton-wrestling-hires-anthony-ashnault-as-new-assistant-coach|title=Princeton Wrestling Hires Anthony Ashnault as New Assistant Coach|date=May 23, 2024}}</ref>
On April 20, 2026, it was announced that he would become assistant wrestling coach for Rutgers University.<ref name="n878">{{cite web | last=Rice | first=Andrew | title=Rutgers Wrestling Adds Program Legend Anthony Ashnault as Associate Head Coach | website=Yahoo Sports | date=April 20, 2026 | url=https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/rutgers-wrestling-adds-program-legend-235343669.html | access-date=April 21, 2026}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == {{Commons}} * {{UWW|ashnault-anthony-james|Anthony James Ashnault}} * {{sports links}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ashnault, Anthony}} Category:1995 births Category:21st-century American sportsmen Category:American male sport wrestlers Category:American wrestling coaches Category:Living people Category:Pan American Wrestling Championships medalists Category:People from South Plainfield, New Jersey Category:Princeton Tigers coaches Category:Real American Freestyle male wrestlers Category:Rutgers Scarlet Knights coaches Category:Rutgers Scarlet Knights wrestlers Category:South Plainfield High School alumni Category:Sportspeople from Middlesex County, New Jersey Category:Wrestlers from New Jersey