Sunderland Welcomes Two-Time NCAA Qualifier McKnight to 2005-06 Nittany Lion Wrestling Roster
Highly regarded transfer comes from the University of Buffalo
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., – Penn State Head Wrestling Coach Troy Sunderland has announced the addition of junior, transfer Mark McKnight (McDonald, Pa.) to the Nittany Lion team starting in the 2005-06 season. McKnight is transferring from the University of Buffalo where he was a two-time NCAA qualifier at 125-pounds.
“We are excited that Mark has decided to join our program and we feel that he will be a valuable addition to an already strong team, “Sunderland said. McKnight is expected to compete at 125 pounds for the Nittany Lions.
McKnight led the Bulls in wins during the 2004-05 season with a 31-15 record and placed second in the MAC Conference Tournament. He earned a top 12 finish at the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year by winning four straight matches after a first round loss to fourth place finisher Nick Simmons of Michigan State. During the 2003-04 season he won the MAC Conference Tournament title at 125 pounds and was named Freshman of the Year by both the MAC Conference and the New York State Collegiate Coaches Association. He compiled a 34-8 record during that year, placing him sixth all-time in single season victories at Buffalo.
In addition to his collegiate success, McKnight is also an accomplished freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestler. He won a gold medal in freestyle and a bronze in Greco-Roman at the Junior Pan-American Games in Maracabio City, Venezuela last July. He also qualified for and competed in the 2004 Olympic Trials.
In high school, McKnight competed for South Fayette High School where he set a school record in wins with 133. He won the Pennsylvania State Championship at 119 pounds during his senior year.
McKnight will join an incoming class that is ranked fifth by InterMat and sixth by W.I.N. magazine. Other top ranked recruits include Brad Pataky (125/Clearfield, Pa.), Dan Vallimont (141/ Lake Hopatcong, N.J.) and David Erwin (165/Urbana, Ohio). All three are ranked among the top three recruits in the nation at their weight by both InterMat and W.I.N. magazine
Wrestling Gear
