After a late start to the season Ashland’s Daniel Beemer is moving up the national rankings.
ASHLAND — Ottawa-Glandorf graduate and current Ashland University wrestler, Daniel Beemer has had quite the career.
He’s not finished yet.
The high school state champion and two-time NCAA Division II national qualifier is currently ranked sixth in the nation at 184 pounds. Beemer is a redshirt junior for the Eagles.
“I have been very fortunate to have found success at Ashland. So far I have been able to reach nationals twice while placing third in the country my sophomore year at 174 pounds. Last season I was ranked as high as number one in the country before I tore my ACL at regionals. I wrestled a week later at nationals and unfortunately did not reach my goals. I have dealt with a lot of adversity this past year through my recovery process after surgery in April and having family members pass away. Despite the letdowns and adversity, I have stayed optimistic. I know I can use this platform I am on to bring joy and happiness through the tough times. I want to continue that this season by dedicating it to the people that have helped me reach this point in my career. I owe it to myself and my family,” said Beemer.
Beemer, who had a late start to the season as part of his recovery process has continued to climb the rankings with his steady performances. Beemer who moved up to a bigger weight class (184 lbs.) is performing at a high level going into an important stretch of the season.
“The goal has always remained the same for me throughout the years, to stand on top of the podium come March. In addition to this, I have challenged myself to become a better leader inside and outside of the wrestling room. Being one of the older guys in the room and a returning captain I have always challenged myself and others to stay consistent and focused throughout the season. I want to continue to challenge myself and others to be the best version of ourselves possible. I look forward to growing more and more as a leader and wrestler by the end of the season,” said Beemer.
Ashland is currently ranked 24th in NCAA Division II and collectively had some strong performances. The Eagles are coached by Colt Sponseller, who was an NCAA Division I All-American wrestler in 2011. Sponseller also placed fifth in the 2015 world team trials. Beemer sees a huge benefit from having Sponseller as his coach.
“He’s a really good coach. He has some of the best accolades you can have. One of the fortunate things is he is around the same size as my weight class, and I wrestle with him every week. I’m bound to get better when you have world team level guy going up against me,” said Beemer.
For Beemer, a big focus this season is enjoying the ride. This year he is taking more time to enjoy the overall process, the experiences along the way, and the memories that go along with competing at such a high level.
“It’s easy to get tunnel vision. How you go about working for that goal in a healthy manner is something I had all summer to think about because I was off the mat for a few months. For the last ten years I can’t remember a full week where I hadn’t wrestled even during football in high school. I’m definitely enjoying the process,” said Beemer.
Beemer and his Ashland teammates have some big wrestling matches coming up. They compete in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Championship on January 21st. The remaining schedule includes some big matchups against regional opponents over the next few weeks leading up to the NCAA Region 3 Regionals on February 25th. The NCAA Championship is March 10-11.
“We will be paired up with a lot of regional opponents. This is important when it comes to seeding for the regional tournaments to go to nationals. The guys I will be facing are also in my region so hopefully if I’m able to beat these kids I will be seeded higher which gives me a better advantage in the region as well as seeding at nationals,” said Beemer.
Beemer already graduated this past summer with a degree in marketing and a minor in supply chain management. He’s currently pursuing his master’s degree in business Analytics. The year of COVID provided NCAA athletes with an extra year of eligibility.
“Following this season, I technically have another year of eligibility and have not decided to use it yet. Regardless of the decision I will forever cherish the memories and experiences I have been able to be a part of thanks to wrestling,” said Beemer who is an academic All-American.
At Ashland, Beemer sees several of the same qualities he enjoys in his hometown of Ottawa.
“I have always been surrounded by amazing coaches, athletic trainers, faculty, teammates, and friends at both places. This has helped me tremendously in guiding me through my academic and athletic career as a student-athlete,” said Beemer.
Speaking of his hometown, Beemer capped off his senior season at OG by going 41-0 and winning the Division III state title in the 182-pound weight class. Like most athletes, who have a legitimate shot at winning a title – there is a sense of relief when the dream becomes a reality – that was certainly the case for Beemer.
“It really meant a lot to me and the community. It meant even more to my family. I remember jumping into my coach and parents’ arms right after the match and feeling the relief of winning off my shoulders. I have always been very thankful to have had the support system I had while growing up through my family and coaches. It meant a lot to me to be able to pay it forward by providing Ottawa with something it had not had before. Looking back I struggled to believe if becoming a state champ was possible. Being the first at my school to do this and second state placer really made it that much more special for myself, my family, and my community,” said Beemer.
Originally, Beemer wasn’t sure what he wanted to do after high school. His initial plan was to go to the National Guard because that’s what his brother did. Eventually, Beemer sent out several recruit questionnaires and Ashland University was very quick to respond with plenty of interest and Beemer became an Eagle and never looked back. Beemer also pointed out the role his high school guidance counselor had in helping him along the way.
“I wanted to compete for a program with a strong culture and camaraderie and I saw those things at Ashland. I come from a smaller school and being able to see how important Ashland views wrestling as well as all their athletics was mind boggling for me and I’m thankful to have that opportunity,” said Beemer.
The same focus Beemer applies on the wrestling mat is something he now carries over into other areas of his life.
“Something I learned over time is that I really switched my focus and emphasis on becoming a competitor in life and not just wrestling. The way I challenge myself on the wrestling mat is the same as I challenge myself as a teammate, as a brother, a son, academically as well as at work. Everything I do now I’m really dialed in and focused on having the same mindset mentality wise as I do towards wrestling as I do with all these other aspects of life that I view equally as important or more important as wrestling,” said Beemer.
Beemer, who first started wrestling when his dad and grandpa started bringing him to tournaments at an early age, certainly has the right mentality. He’s also made the town of Ottawa proud.
