Up until the final seconds, the thought didn’t even cross Josh Wooton’s mind.

While most wrestlers would loathe the feeling of wrestling their final match for days before it took place, the feeling didn’t hit Wooton until he was caught on his back unable to escape.

The senior’s career-ending 4-2 loss to Ron Tarquino of Pittsburgh at the NCAA Championships was not a fitting end for the wrestler who ended his career with 109 wins, third all time at NIU.

“I just got caught on my back,” said Wooton, who went 3-2 at the championships. “I gave it everything I had. I don’t really have any regrets, but you always want to do better.”

Although Wooton, whose season was good enough to earn him the No. 3 spot on the Northern Star’s top 10 athletes of the year list, always strived to do better, it would have been difficult for him to do so.

Wooton ended his career with a record of 19-1 in MAC matches and was a four-time national qualifier.

But it’s not just his work on the mat that Wooton will remember of his time at NIU.

Wooton has enjoyed his status of captain in his senior year and said he enjoys leading the younger wrestlers.

“I think that the younger guys looked up to me,” Wooton said. “I was always trying to teach them when I could.”

In Wooton’s illustrious career it hasn’t only been his individual achievements that are worth noting.

The wrestling squad has seen great success in his four years with the team, including a top-25 ranking this season and last season. Wooton has also helped the Huskies to five-straight 10-plus win seasons.

Although coaches and teammates realize it will be tough to replace his production on the mat and in the locker room, Wooton remains confident in the team’s future.

“The team has a ton of good recruits coming in,” Wooton said. “They’re going to be good for a really long time.”