WRESTLING

Roster  |  Coaches  |  Schedule / Results  |  News

SAINT LOUIS, MO - Three University at Buffalo wrestlers will be competing in the NCAA Championships at the Savvis Center in Saint Louis, MO starting on Thursday. Freshman Mark McKnight (McDonald, PA/South Fayette), senior Ed Pawlak (Lakewood, NY/Southwestern) and junior Kyle Cerminara (Lewiston, NY/Lewiston-Porter) each qualified by winning individual titles at the Mid-American Conference Championships two weeks ago.

McKnight, who wrestles at 125 pounds, was named the MAC Freshman Wrestler of the Year following the MAC Championships. He has a 32-6 record this season and is ranked 20th nationally at 125 pounds in the latest release of the Amateur Wrestling News' individual rankings.

After his opening-round bye, McKnight will face third-seeded Matt Valenti of Pennsylvania at the NCAA Championships. Valenti, a sophomore, posted a 30-4 record this season.

Pawlak, who wrestles within the 174-pound weight class, will be making his third trip to the NCAA Championships. He twice qualified while wrestling at Lock Haven, prior to his transfer to UB. With a 36-7 record this season, Pawlak has more wins than any other wrestler in his weight class nationwide. He is ranked 19th nationally at 174 pounds in the latest release of the Amateur Wrestling News' individual rankings.

Kyle Cerminara

In his first match, Pawlak will match-up against Iowa senior Tyler Nixt, who is seeded second in the bracket. This season, Nixt was 28-2.

Cerminara, who also qualified for the NCAA Championships as a freshman, wrestles at 197 pounds. His 37-3 record has him leading his weight class in wins nationally, as well as tied for a single-season victory mark at UB with Gary Cooper (1999-2000). Within the 197-pound weight class, Cerminara is ranked 10th nationally by Intermat and 16th nationally by The Amateur Wrestling News.

Hofstra junior Chris Skretkowicz, who is seeded second by the NCAA, will be Cerminara's first-round opponent. Skretkowicz went 36-2 this season.