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SAINT LOUIS, MO - No University at Buffalo male athlete has ever become a Division I All-American, but entering Friday's evening session at the NCAA Championships, three separate UB wrestlers are just one win away from accomplishing that feat.

Freshman 125-pounder Mark McKnight (McDonald, PA/South Fayette), senior 174-pounder Ed Pawlak (Lakewood, NY/Southwestern) and junior 197-pounder Kyle Cerminara (Lewiston, NY/Lewiston-Porter) have advanced to the final 12 within their respective weight classes, leaving them one victory shy of becoming All-Americans. The top eight finishers in each weight class are recognized as All-Americans.

On Friday morning, McKnight lost his match in the quarterfinal round to sixth-seeded Kyle Scott of Illinois by an 8-5 decision, however he immediately moved down to the All-America Round within the consolation bracket. McKnight will face eighth-seeded Joe Dubuque of Indiana on Friday night. In early January, McKnight lost by a 3-1 decision to Dubuque at the Buckeye Duals.

Ed Pawlak

Pawlak posted consecutive wins on Friday morning in order to reach the All-America Round. He first beat Oklahoma's E.K. Waldhaus by a 4-3 decision and then Cornell's Tyler Baier by an 8-5 decision. Pawlak's All-America Round opponent is third-seeded Brad Dillon of Lehigh, who defeated Pawlak by a 6-2 decision, also at the Buckeye Duals.

Cerminara also posted two consolation bracket wins on Friday morning in order to move into the All-America Round. He posted a 9-6 overtime victory over 12th-seeded Marcio Botelho of Fresno State, followed by a 3-2 win over Ohio's Joel Weimer. Cerminara will next face 11th-seeded Pat DeGain of Indiana, who pinned Cerminara at the Buckeye Duals in their only match-up this season.

With his two victories on Friday morning, Cerminara continues to build upon his own record in the UB history books. His 40 overall wins this season have shattered the Buffalo mark for single-season victories, which was previously held by Gary Cooper with 37 wins during the 1999-2000 campaign.

As a team, the three UB wrestlers have compiled eight team points through Friday morning's session. That has Buffalo ranked in a tie for 36th overall, while Oklahoma State currently leads the entire field with 61 points.

"I am so proud of the way each of our guys has wrestled," said UB head coach Jim Beichner. "They have shown incredible heart, determination and focus on their way to this point."

Visit http://www.ncaasports.com/wrestling/mens/brackets for a complete look at the NCAA Championships brackets.