By Stacy Pappas
GRAND FORKS, N.D. -- Senior Eric Knight will no doubt depart UND with an impressive career. A nine-time All-American with his last season ahead of him, Knight will look to make an impressive final run for the Division II national team title and keep his top individual and relay honors.
A Rochester, Minn., native, Knight came to UND primarily to earn a degree in aviation and believes his good structure and balance between school and swimming is what earned him a spot on the North Central Conference Honor Roll. Aside from swimming, you probably would catch Knight playing his guitar or watching movies like Old School and Superbad. He is a taco pizza lover and can't go with out a Rockstar energy drink before every meet.
Last season proved to be a springboard for success, as Knight and his relay teams did some damage in the NCC Championships, taking home first place in the 400 medley relay, 200 freestyle relay (both new NCC records), and the 400 freestyle medley. Knight's top individual finishes were second in the 50 freestyle and first in the 100 freestyle.
A month later at the NCAA Division II championships Knight and his relay teams again took first in the 200 medley relay, 200 freestyle relay and 400 medley relay and they also took second in the 400 freestyle relay, helping the UND men's swim team capture a second-place national finish.
This season, Knight is back on track where he left off last season: with plenty of wins and his eye on the title. Entering the NCC conference championships in one week, Knight will have garnered a mix of 17 relay and individual first-place finishes thus far this season. His favorite memory has been the NCAA national championships and winning a national title with his relay teams.
"The tournament appearances have been awesome," Knight says. "I am fortunate for my relay teammates. We are close and do a lot of the same things together. When it's all over, it will be a relief to be done, but also sad."
When asked about the move to Division I, Knight says, "I'm happy that my senior year will be spent swimming for the last Division II championship title. I think it will take time to get established in Division I like we have done for so long at Division II. I think it's a great move for the program overall."
Q. What has been your favorite trip?
A. "Our training trip to Sarasota, Fla . It's a way for us to get ready for the important meets, though it's not an actual competition. It's a very nice and relaxing time."
Q. Where is your favorite place to swim?
A. "The University of Minnesota, because it's a nice pool that holds a lot of records. It's always better competition in that pool, as well."
Q. Do you have any superstitions?
A. "I always need a Rockstar before a meet."
Q. Who is your hero?
A. "As a freshman at UND, I really looked up to and respected the older swimmers on my team. I also looked up to Rodrigo Ferreira, he was my boss and a great role model for me."
Q. If you had any advice to give to an up and coming athlete, what would it be?
A. "Always finish what you started and lead by example. Make good decisions and have no regrets."
