The Northern Star counts down the top 10 athletes of the year, as picked by the sports staff.

Following in Garrett Wolfe’s footsteps is not easy. But Justin Anderson was up to the task last season.

The junior running back became the ninth consecutive Huskie to rush for more than 1,000 yards.

His final damage on the season was 1,245 yards rushing, good enough for fourth in the MAC. He also added eight touchdowns.

Anderson was a workhorse in NIU’s first win of the season over Idaho. He carried the ball 35 times for 167 yards, including an 11-yard touchdown run to put NIU up by two possessions over the Vandals.

He also was a solid pair of hands out of the backfield, finishing second on the team with 45 catches and three receiving touchdowns.

Anderson’s 66 total points led the Huskies, topping senior kicker Chris Nendick.