A two-time NCAA Division II All-American, Mitch Knapp is back for his third season as an assistant coach with the nationally-ranked West Liberty University wrestling squad.
   The McConnelsville, Ohio native powered his way into the starting lineup as a true freshman and was a rare 4-time NCAA Division II national qualifier with the Black and Gold. After coming up one win shy of All-America status during his freshman and sophomore campaigns, Knapp broke through to earn back-to-back NCAA Division II All-America honors as a junior and senior.
   He placed fifth at 197 pounds in the 2010 nationals and just missed claiming a national championship in 2011, falling to an unbeaten two-time national titlist in the 197-pound championship match. One of the most productive wrestlers in Hilltopper history, Knapp won 60 matches in his final two seasons.
   After graduation, Knapp began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Campbellsville (Ky.) University. He helped develop five NAIA All-Americans as the Tigers powered their way to a sixth-place finish at the NAIA Nationals in Des Moines, Iowa.
   Knapp returned as Campbellsville's lead assistant the following season as the Tigers earned another Top 10 finish at the NAIA Nationals with three more wrestlers earning All-America honors.
   Knapp is a resident of Hopedale, Ohio.
