Jake Craig hasn’t had time just yet to truly savor the end of his wrestling career.

Craig, a University of Southern Maine senior, has been hard at work this week on his coding class, working toward his computer science and cyber security degrees. But earlier this month, the Skowhegan native cemented his place as one of the top wrestlers in USM history.

On March 14, Craig finished fourth in the 133-pound division at the NCAA Division III championships in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In the process, he earned All-American honors (top-eight finish) for the third time, becoming the first USM wrestler to do so.

Craig was already just one of the three USM wrestlers to earn All-America status more than once, with the current head coach, Mike Morin (2009, 2010), and former teammate Colby Frost (2024, 2025), a Bonny Eagle High graduate.

“I’m not going to lie, it’s a really weird feeling. I’ve been wrestling for 17 years and that’s the last (tournament),” Craig said. “Honestly, I think it’s pretty bittersweet for me. The national championship was in my sight. I wanted All-American, but I really wanted a national championship. … It sucks that I couldn’t get that national championship, but I’m really glad that I put in (the work). At the end of the day I can look in the mirror and know that I did everything I possibly could.”

Craig won his first two matches, topping Lucas Torre of New Jersey City University by a 4-2 margin and Jacob Blair of Arcadia University by a 12-1 decision. His championship hopes ended when he lost 12-1 to James Day of Wabash (Indiana) College.

In the consolation semifinals, Craig beat Art Martinez of Case Western Reserve, 7-4. Down 4-1 after the second period, Craig scored a takedown as time expired to tie the match and send it to overtime. He scored another takedown in overtime to secure the win and a podium spot.

“I’m really proud of Jake,” said Morin, who has been the Huskies’ head coach since 2015. “I think people take for granted how challenging it is to be an All-American now. Just because you’re a returning All-American doesn’t mean it’s guaranteed the next year. Every single year, there’s lots of All-Americans who don’t repeat. To have the season he did and chase down his goals, I thought, was really impressive and something we’re really proud of.”

Craig’s final match was for third place against Jude Robinson of Roanoke (Va.) College. Robinson edged Craig, 5-2.

“I feel like I went out on my shield, so I’m proud of that,” Craig said. “It didn’t really hit me until I walked up the bleachers and saw my mom (Lisa Craig), and then I just started bawling. I had my head in her shoulder and was trying to hide it. I don’t think it was tears of being super sad. It just all came out, with the journey being over.”

Craig finished the season with a 35-4 record. He ranks fifth in program history with 119 career wins (119-26 record).

“There’s a handful of guys that are among, in my mind, a handful of the best guys that have come through our program,” Morin said. “You can’t have that conversation without talking about Jake Craig. Not only was Jake good, but he was good for a long time. We’ve had greats like Jake Peavey or Danny Del Gallo. Jake was good from start to finish. He was a guy that came in and hit the ground running. You can’t have that conversation (about program greats) without him, for sure.”

Craig is one of the seven seniors on what was otherwise a young USM roster. Among the USM seniors is former Wells standout Colin Sevigney, who returned to wrestling years after overcoming an alcohol, marijuana and cocaine addiction. At age 30, Sevigney wrapped his career with a 7-14 record this season at 157 pounds.

Though Craig’s wrestling career is over, he said he wants to continue working in the sport, trying to give back to the next generation.

“I don’t want to fade away from wrestling at all, I’d like to still be a coach or assistant coach anywhere,” Craig said. “I think my biggest dream would be to coach my own wrestling club in Maine. Don’t know how I would go about doing that, but something I definitely want to do down the line and give back to the state.”