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.[3][5] 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.[6] At the 15' NCAA's, he placed eight, earning All-American honors.[7]
As a sophomore, he compiled a 33–5 record through season. Brought Rutgers their first individual Big Ten title ever.[8] He placed fourth at the 16' NCAA's to become the first two-time All-American in the history of the program.[9]
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[10] and won his second straight Big Ten championship.[11] Ashnault was initially unable to compete as a senior and missed the whole season due to an injury.[12]
The NCAA granted Ashnault a sixth year of eligibility for the 2018–19 season.[12] 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.[13] 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.[14]
Ashnault graduated that year with a record of 139–22.[15]
