After a strong freshman campaign in 2007, Duke Burk continued his success with the NIU wrestling program this season.

Burk finished 28-7 and qualified for nationals for the second straight season, earning the No. 10 spot on the Northern Star’s top 10 athletes of the year list for 2006-2007.

At the NCAA tournament, Burk fell just one match short of becoming an All-American.

Burk also played a key part in NIU’s 22-19 victory over Northwestern on Nov. 30, defeating Northwestern’s nationally ranked Nick Hayes.

After Midlands in December, Burk only lost four matches ­- three of them to Central Michigan’s Brandon Sinnott.

Burk was unavailable for comment.