DeKALB – When the bus hits the road, the Northern Illinois wrestling team knows to stay away from senior Trace Engelkes.
Instead of socializing with teammates, Engelkes said he keeps to himself – headphones on – as he devolves into his own world of solitude.
More than likely, he'll do the same as the Huskies head to the Mid-American Conference Championships, which begin on Saturday at University of Northern Iowa, with a trip to his first NCAA Championships on the line.
"I'm by myself. I'd like to hang out with the team, but I can't," Engelkes said early in the week.