JEFFERSON TWP— Winning hasn't been a problem for Brittney Faust.

Getting on the wrestling mat is a different story.

The Knoch junior 125-pound wrestler missed the Knights' dual match at Butler Wednesday because she had wisdom teeth extracted.

She missed all of her sophomore season with a concussion after finishing with a .500 record in a handful of matches her freshman year.

"I know I can do it,"Faust said of winning matches. "I feel like I already have."

Faust is ranked ninth nationally at 124 pounds by the U.S, Girls Wrestling Association despite competing in just two of the organization'stournaments last year. She won her weight class at the Pennsylvania state meet and finished 10th out of 22 competitors in her weight class at the national tournament in Michigan.

"We're anxious to see what she can do when healthy for a full season," said her father Jim Faust.

That season is now.

"We're prepared to do what we have to do,"her father said. "We're getting ready to do some traveling."

The USGWAholds state tournaments and other events across the country. The bulk of those events begin in March, after the high school season concludes.

Only seven other Pennsylvania female wrestlers are nationally ranked by the USGWA, including Slippery Rock High senior Kayla Brendlinger, who is fourth at 98 pounds.

"When the high school season ends, Brit's fun begins," Knoch varsity wrestling coach Mark McLaughlin said. "Her technique is outstanding, as good as anybody's, but she gets overpowered at times going against boys.

"She gets a little beaten up, but she keeps on coming."

Faust benefits from being a member of Knoch's wrestling team every day in the practice room. Her workout partner is 119-pound junior Grayson Hixon, a 20-win wrestler last year and a two-time section champion.

And those workouts aren't just going through the motions.

"We push each other pretty good,"Faust said.

Faust has been involved in wrestling since third grade. She was one of the original grade school students to sign up when Knoch started its elementary program and is one of the few to stick with it through high school.

Knoch's varsity program is only in its third year.

During her first season as an elementary school wrestler, Faust won the North Hills Youth League championship in her weight class.

"I saw a flyer on the wall at school about it,"Faust said of wrestling. "I had watched the sport before. It looked like fun and I wanted to try it. Once I did, I was hooked."

McLaughlin recognized that right away.

"When I did realize Brit was serious about this?From the first time she stepped on the mat in third grade,"McLaughlin said. "She's been all business from day one.

"She wrestles great on her feet and from the top position. Her technique and work ethic fit right in with this sport.

"This girl has the ability to get a college scholarship and possibly challenge for a berth on the Olympic team down the road. She has that kind of ceiling,"McLaughlin added.

Which is why her parents are willing to take her act on the road to as many female tournaments as possible.

"Brittney is serious about wrestling in college and beyond and we support her 100 percent,"her father said.

"She wanted to play football at first, but her mother didn't want her to do that. When she approached us about wrestling, I was unfamiliar with it. Now I think it's perfect for her."