Mark Knoll has discovered in the past couple of seasons there's an important gap between the junior and senior level in long track speed skating. The 21-year-old Regina resident was one of Canada's best ever junior performers. He was the first Canadian in 13 years to earn an overall medal at the world junior championships placing second in 1995 and 1996. He also ended a six-year Canadian medal drought at the world juniors with silver medals in the 3,000 and 5,000 metres. But he hasn't come close to those results at the international level since. He has rebounded though after a couple of tough seasons in 1997-98 and earned a berth on the Olympic team for the 5,000 metres. And excellent lacrosse player, Knoll is involved in the Special Olympic speed skating program.