Jimmy Sheptock's goal for the NCAA wrestling tournament this year were already set last year.

Despite earning All-American status last season, the former Northampton and current Maryland wrestler didn't hide the fact he wanted a national championship on his resume.

Unfortunately, Sheptock would fall just short of that goal, losing to Penn State's Ed Ruth 7-2 in the 184-pound finals Saturday night. Even though he lost, it was quite a run for the senior at this year's tournament, and losing to Ruth is something many have grown accustomed to over the years.

"I am disappointed, I am not going to short change myself," Sheptock said. "I came here to win a national championship. I know I was obviously wrestling one of the greatest wrestlers in NCAA history, but I have prepared all year for this, I was here to win.

"I am not happy, but there is nothing I can do."

Ruth entered the finals with just one loss in the last three years and two titles already under his belt. The win over Sheptock gave him his third. Despite Ruth's credentials, Sheptock was ready for the match.

"I am not happy now, but I came out of high school not ever getting to the PIAA finals," Sheptock said. "I placed third twice, and seventh once, and at Maryland I became a two-time All-American, won over 100 matches, and was in the NCAA finals. I had a great career, just didn't get that last win."

"As a fan, as a coach, as a Penn State alumni, I will say that Ed Ruth is one of the best NCAA wrestlers ever," said Maryland head coach Kerry McCoy. "I am really proud of Jimmy. He went out against one of the best ever, and didn't back down. The second takedown in the first period really hurt. I felt Jimmy was in the match until then. Going into the second down 2-1 would have been right where we wanted to be. That's what Ed Ruth does though."

McCoy thinks, despite the loss, that Sheptock will bring recognition to the wrestling program at Maryland, as they head to the Big Ten Conference.

"I have been at Maryland for six years, we have had an All-American every year," said McCoy. "We were able to say we make All-Americans. Now we can say we make NCAA finalists."

While Sheptock has put Maryland on the wrestling map, the former K-Kid hasn't forgotten his roots, and is still proud to be associated with Northampton.

"I still love being from Northampton and District 11," Sheptock said. "It was great seeing Kindig (Josh), and Minotti (Mitch) do so well here. My coaches at Northampton, Daubert (Terry) and Rohn (Don), were great coaches. I am still close to coach Rohn, we text a lot."

Sheptock entered as a number-one seed in the 184-pound bracket and opened with two wins.

He first defeated Benjamin Stroh of Wyoming 10-3, and then knocked off Devin Hightower of Air Force 4-0 in the evening session.

Sheptock continued his winning ways when he scored the first takedown on Blake Stauffer of Arizona State University. He used a beautiful, high crotch about a minute into the first. He then gave up an escape to end the period 2-1. He scored another takedown late in the second period, to take a 4-1 lead. Then, after a reversal at the beginning of the third, he gave up an escape, to make the final score 6-2.

Sheptock came out strong and looked relaxed at this point of the tournament.

"This is my third trip here," he said after the match. "I came with a goal in mind - to win a national title. My experience helps. Last year I was so happy as soon as I became an All-American, that I came down from the high, and just didn't get it done."

In the semis, Sheptock won a 3-2 decision over Jack Dechow of Old Dominion University. He got a takedown in the first, gave up an escape, then both wrestlers exchanged escapes in the second and third periods.

With that win, Sheptock became the first Maryland wrestler in 45 years to advance to the finals.

"That's pretty cool, I didn't know that until after my match and coach told me," Sheptock said after the semifinals. "I knew there were two champs, but that's a long time."

He was asked if he was thinking about hitting a concrete special, the patented Northampton move, similar to Rob Rohn in 2002/

"Not at first, I was sticking to my game plan. After he rode me out, I was looking for it, but he is well coached, he knows where I came from, and hwasn'tnt letting me get anywhere near it, he is so unorthodox, and great at misdirection, that he keeps you off balance."

On the difference between this year and last. "I focused on winning a national title. Last year I didn't set my goals to win, but this year I did."

On being the #1 Seed. "It made this roa lotalot easiIt's acts a good weight class, and there are some really tough matches this round."

On the second match. "I wanted to score more, but he slowed me a lot allot. That's ok, its about winning here, advancthe nextthenext round."

Coach Kerry McCoy "The biggest difference in Jimmy is his goals. Last few years he said things like, "I want to win my last match", "I want to get a medal. This year, right away, he said "I want to win a national title." He didn't give himself any outs, and he has gone after it."