WRESTLING

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BUFFALO, NY - On Tuesday afternoon, the University at Buffalo wrestling program announced the signings of a pair of talented Pennsylvania wrestlers for the 2004-05 season. Mark Throckmorton (Waynesburg, PA/Waynesburg) and Nate Rock (Ephrata, PA/Ephrata) both signed letters of intent to join the Buffalo program according to head coach Jim Beichner.

Throckmorton, who was listed as one of Intermat's Top 200 Recruits of 2004-05, placed third in the 2004 Pennsylvania State High School AAA Championships at 130 pounds. He comes from the same high school that current Bulls' assistant coach Josh Koscheck attended. Throckmorton is projected to wrestle collegiately within the 133-pound weight class.

"Mark wrestled in a very competitive weight class this year in Pennsylvania," Beichner said. "He has a lot of high school and freestyle experience. He's one of those kids with an excellent work ethic and attitude."

Rock, who went 29-2 during his senior season, was the runner-up in the 2004 Pennsylvania State High School AAA Championships at 171 pounds. At the collegiate level, he is expected to compete at 174 pounds.

Coach Jim Beichner

"Nate is very talented and has a very good work ethic," said Beichner. "Knowing that Pennsylvania is one of the best, if not the top wrestling area in the country, when you pull a state finalist you know you are getting a very good wrestler. We feel like he is going to be capable of coming in here and helping this team compete, in particular adding depth to our upper weight classes.

"This will be one of our best, if not our best recruiting class ever," continued Beichner. "Pennsylvania is a great wrestling state and those doors have swung wide open for us. It certainly helps to have two assistant coaches who grew up and competed in Pennsylvania. But our first priority is just to get kids that want to be here, because if that is the case they will be successful at UB. And that is what we have been doing."

Back in November, UB announced the signings of Mickey Moran (Shaler, PA/Shaler) and Scott Rendos (Brockway, PA/Brockway), both of whom were listed with Throckmorton as members of Intermat's Top 200 Recruits of 2004-05

Last season at the NCAA Championships, the Bulls posted a 33rd-place finish, which was the best in school history. The team returns All-American Kyle Cerminara (Lewiston, NY/Lewiston-Porter), along with Mark McKnight (McDonald, PA/South Fayette), who advanced to the All-America Round as a true freshman before being knocked out of the tournament.