Las Vegas, Nev. April 22, 2000 - Penn State coaching assistant Kerry McCoy advanced to the finals of the U.S. National Freestyle Wrestling Championships in Las Vegas, Nev. McCoy's 10-0, technical fall demolition of No. 3 ranked Tolly Thompson in 2:34 of their semi-final match set up a showdown with No. 1 ranked Stephen Neal who advanced by posting a technical fall on No. 4 ranked Tom Erikson, 11-0 at 3:20.

McCoy, ranked No. 2 in the nation at heavyweight, cruised to the U.S. National final for the first time in his three appearances in the event. He opened the competition by posting a 10-0, technical fall on Devin Cole and then won a 10-1 decision over Billy Blunt in the quarterfinals. McCoy placed third in the event last year and fifth in 1998. The winner of the tournament not only claims the U.S. National title, but gets the No. 1 seed and a bye in the upcoming Olympic Trials in June.