The wrestling season winding downs means the end of the college career for NIU’s lone senior, Arber Bebo.

Bebo, who is the backup at 197 pounds, has spent the last two years at NIU after transferring from Harper College. During his career as a Huskie, Bebo has registered a 13-14 dual meet record, and his best open tournament result was a first place at the 2013 Harper Open in those two seasons.

Bebo, an Addison native, said during his time in DeKalb he has learned a lot about wrestling.

“I feel like I’ve gained a lot more knowledge about wrestling, a lot more Division I knowledge,” Bebo said. “I feel like I learned to work a lot harder throughout the heavy workouts and the big schedules that we have to keep up with. I transferred from a junior college so all we had was afternoon practices, we didn’t have morning workouts.”

Since coming to DeKalb, Bebo has wrestled at two weight classes for the Huskies: 184 pounds and 197 pounds.

Head coach Ryan Ludwig said Bebo has been the NIU wrestling version of a Swiss Army knife.

“You know, Arber’s been kind of a utility guy…so he’s wrestled a few different weight classes,” Ludwig said. “[He’s] always been ready to go out there and take the mat when we need him. He’s pretty tough on top and he’s got a very good high crotch, so he provides the guys in the room with a good look and a competitive atmosphere.”

Bebo said he thinks the future looks bright for NIU as the program heads into the future.

“Yes, I think the program is going to do a lot better next year,” Bebo said. “A lot of the guys are young. They had a pretty decent year this year. Again they beat a good school like Indiana and they beat a lot better schools this year, so I feel like next year and on they’re gonna be a lot better because they’re gonna be getting older.”

Bebo said he hopes to continue doing something with wrestling after his career at NIU wraps up.

“Yes, I feel like wrestling just grows on you over time and I’ve wrestled for 10 years,” Bebo said. “I’ve wrestled since the seventh grade and I can’t see myself not being involved in some way shape or form with the sport, because its just grown on me and it’s something that I don’t see myself stepping away from. I feel like I could volunteer at the local high school once in while, or something like that she just to be around the sport.”