LAS VEGAS — Katie Downing knocked off two-time world champion Kristie Marano in today's semifinals at the U.S. national wrestling championships.

Marano, a nine-time world wrestling medalist, still qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials, but she'll be at a disadvantage come June. National champions advance to the trials final in Las Vegas.

Marano lost her 158.5-pound semifinal match 1-0, 1-0. Later today, Downing will face Ali Bernard in the final. Bernard also won in an upset, decisioning 2005 world champion Iris Smith, 1-2, 2-2, 1-0. Smith also advanced to trials as one of the top eight qualifiers.

Sara McMann, the Olympic silver medalist, and Patricia Miranda, the 2004 Olympic bronze medalist, also both advanced to Thursday night's finals.

At 138.5 pounds, Sara McMann will face Randi Miller, who posted a 3-0, 2-1 win over Alaina Berube in the semis. Berube finished second to McMann at the 2004 Olympic trials. McMann advanced by pinning two foes and then decisioning Elena Pirozkhov, 14-2, 3-1, in the semifinals.

At 105.5 pounds, Miranda will square off against Stephanie Murata, fifth at the 2007 worlds. Miranda advanced with two pins and a 0-1, 4-1, 1-0 victory in the semifinals over Roosevelt High alum Clarissa Chun, whom she defeated in 2004 trials finals.

This is Miranda's first year back at the weight at which she won her Olympic medal.

"She cut weight better this time than I have ever seen her, even at 112," said Levi Weikel-Megden, Miranda's coach and husband. "When she was injured not too long ago; she really worked on that (cutting weight), and she got it figured out."

Also advancing to finals were: Jessica Medina vs. Helen Maroulis at 112.25; Marcie Van Dusen vs. Jenny Wong at 121; Othella Lucas vs. Erin Tomeo at 130; and Sara Hillard vs. Stefanie Shaw at 147.5.