WRESTLING

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LAS VEGAS, NV - At this weekend's US Wrestling National Championships, two UB wrestlers fared well within their respective weight classes. Freshman Mark McKnight (McDonald, PA/South Fayette) went 3-2 within the 55-kilogram weight class and was only one win away from placing in the top eight. In the 96-kilogram bracket, junior Kyle Cerminara (Lewiston, NY/Lewiston-Porter) also went 3-2, but was three victories away from earning a finish in the top eight.

Mark McKnight

McKnight - who was just one win away from becoming an All-American at last month's NCAA Championships - began the US Nationals with a 10-0 decision at 4:38 over Nate Engel. In the championship bracket pre-quarterfinals, McKnight then fell to Nick Simmons by a 14-4 decision at 5:06.

McKnight then strung together two straight victories in the consolation bracket - first a 10-0 decision at 2:00 over Edwin Martinez, and then an 11-0 decision at 2:20 over Timothy Morris. The tournament came to an end for McKnight with an 11-0 loss at 4:56 to eventual third-place finisher Teague Moore.

Cerminara - who become UB's first-ever male Division I All-American last month - first lost to William Halsey by a 7-4 decision at the US Nationals. Cerminara then posted a 10-0 decision at 1:06 over Quarlos Ceja, and followed that up with a win by fall at 54 seconds over James Vasquez and a 3-0 decision over Wayne Swartz. Cermianra's run was then halted by Dominic Black, who earned a 4-0 win over Cerminara.

The US National Championships are considered to be the most important qualifying event for the upcoming US Olympic Team Trials.