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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Wrestler Mark McKnight (McDonald, PA/South Fayette), who recently completed his freshman season at UB, will be competing at the US Olympic Freestyle Wrestling Trials this weekend in Indianapolis, IN. He is just one of 13 wrestlers within the 55-kilogram weight class to have advanced to this stage, having qualified with his mid-April title at the East Regional Trials.

"Competing at the Olympic Trials as a college freshman is a great achievement," wrote USA Wrestling and TheMat.com columnist Gary Abbott in a recent article. "(It) should bring McKnight into the national picture in future seasons."

Mark McKnight

McKnight will begin his quest during Friday's 10 am Challenge Preliminaries session. Should he be victorious, he would advance to the Challenge Quarterfinals session, which begin at 5 pm.

The Challenge Semifinals are scheduled for 10 am on Saturday, with the Challenge Finals slated for 5 pm on the same day. The Challenge Finals winner would then move on to face the US National Freestyle Champion at 55 kilograms, Stephen Abas, in a best-of-three competition on Sunday to determine who earns the spot on the US Olympic team.

"It is truly an encouraging sign for UB athletics to have someone competing to qualify for the Olympics," said UB head coach Jim Beichner. "It is undoubtedly the highest-level amateur competition in this country.

"For someone that is so young, this is obviously a great experience," continued Beichner. "After getting something like this under his belt, there is no limit as to what Mark can do in the future."

McKnight finished the 2003-04 collegiate season with a 34-8 record, including a MAC Championship. He later advanced to the All-America Round of the NCAA Championships before being eliminated and was the only true freshman to advance that far within the 125-pound bracket.

During April's US Wrestling National Championships, McKnight went 3-2 within the 55-kilogram weight class and was only one win away from placing in the top eight.