CHAMPAIGN  You ask Ernest Benion for a moment of his time and his thoughts.

   "I can do that," he says. "I''m a thinker."

   And a wrestler. And a singer. And a public speaker. And, uh, you get the picture.

   Ernest Benion has more on his mind than just wrestling.

   "I think people read about those things and ... I know certain people have to fire up for an opponent by disliking (that person)," University of Illinois wrestling coach Mark Johnson said. "It''s pretty hard to dislike Ernest Benion. I think that''s evident by a kid on our team named Eric Siebert, who lost to him in the state finals Eric''s junior year. And a couple of years later, they''re roommates. Normally that doesn''t happen in our sport."

   Normally the senior 158-pounder doesn''t sing a stirring rendition of the national anthem before a match. Normally the 1995 national champion doesn''t make his way to various schools to speak to kids. Normally the No. 2 wrestler on a university''s all-time wins list isn''t so intelligent, so engaging, so culturally diverse.

   "I think people definitely have stereotypes," Benion said. "I guess I enjoy breaking those."

   You know about his wrestling feats, the national title, the 1996 NCAA runner-up finish, the 112 career wins  eight shy of current UI assistant coach Steve Marianetti''s career record.

   You probably even know about his baritone voice (he''s done the anthem prior to numerous UI contests).

   But there''s more. As a child he studied violin for two years. In high school, Benion played percussion in band and was involved in various choruses. He took part in a high school musical and had the lead role in Northern Illinois University''s production of "Oliver Twist."

   His past summer jobs include working as a lab assistant at the Northwestern University Medical School. He''s been a head counselor for UI Summer Camps the past three years. And now he''s a member of the university''s Student-Athlete Advisory Board, serving as co-chairman this season.

   If you find another wrestler this varied, holler.

   "I think the thing is, when I was young my parents always encouraged me to try lots of things," Benion said.

   Now he''s passing the word.

   Benion''s a regular in the UI''s "Hometown Heroes" program, which allows athletes to speak to various kids'' groups.

   Away from the mat, Benion says it''s his No. 1 joy.

   "Anything that has to do with kids, that''s probably where I have the most fun," he said. "(The Hometown Heroes program) is an awesome opportunity for us as athletes. Even though we''re not the best role models in the world, we have an opportunity to be the best role models in the world."

   His message?

   "Hey, get involved in lots of things," said Benion, who hopes to coach in college. "Learn now while you''re young, before your time gets consumed by other things. Spend that time getting involved in all the sports you want to play, all the activities you want to do."

   He speaks with passion, his eyes latched on his subjects. It''s easy to understand how Benion can mesmerize an audience.

   Is this really the same person who sticks opponents'' shoulders to the mat with fierce determination?

   "I''m not naturally aggressive, but I''m naturally an excited, high-energy type of person," Benion said. "I know people who could tell you that I never stop talking. I''m always in a good mood, an upbeat kind of guy. I think aggressive sometimes has negative connotations to it ... maybe (I''m) aggressive in a good sense."

   "Some kids have the ability that once they walk into a competitive environment, they become competitive," Johnson said. "I think he''s much more competitive than he lets on to be outside the room.

   "I think by being a leader, he''s always trying to do good things for other people, so he uses his aggressiveness in good, positive ways."

Illini expect Big Ten bonanza.

   They''ve compiled the most dual-meet victories in Illinois'' 85-year wrestling history. Now the Illini seek NCAA Championship berths in this weekend''s Big Ten Championships.

   "There is no reason we should not have 10 national qualifiers on Sunday," senior All-American Lindsey Durlacher said.

   The top six finishers in each class, plus nine at-large qualifiers, advance to the March 20-22 NCAA Championships in Cedar Falls, Iowa.

   Fourth in the Big Ten last season, Illinois could battle Iowa for the top spot.

   "It''s an important weekend because we need good momentum going in (next week)," Johnson said. "But our focus is, and always will be, on the NCAA tournament."