A paid writer would have had trouble writing a better ending to John Tuck’s high school wrestling career.

The La Grande senior would agree -he had a slightly different ending in mind.

“It would have been nice to finish the year undefeated,” Tuck said. “But I’m pretty happy with how it ended.”

It could be called nitpicking, after a 41-1 season that concluded with a state title. He lost to Brock Gutches of Crater. Gutches finished the season 33-2, taking home a state title.

But the accolades didn’t end there. Tuck was named the Outstanding Class 4A wrestler for 2009. Not long after, Tuck travelled to California to take part in the fifth dual between the two states.

The best senior wrestlers from California and Oregon wrestle in a one-day event. Oregon has yet to win the first five seasons of the event, falling this season 39-18.

Tuck, however, won his match in overtime 8-7 against Nick Rohrer of Oakridge, Calif. Rohrer finished sixth at the state meet.

“It was a pretty tough match,” Tuck said. “We went back and forth for a while. I was just able to get away at the end for a point.

“California had a little advantage. The state meet was held the weekend before we went down there. We had a lot of people who were a little out of shape because we’ve been done for a couple weeks.”

It’s the fitting end to a long journey. Tuck placed fifth as a freshman. He moved up to third his sophomore season. Wrestling in his first state championship match last season, Tuck won in overtime.

Before that Tuck was taught by current high school wrestling coach Klel Carson in middle school. Before that it was Miles Hancock and Doug Henderson in club wrestling.

“He’s put in a tremendous amount of work,” Carson said. “It’s great to see him end his career here that way. This has been such a long process.

“Not only has he changed as a wrestler, John has changed as a person also.”

Tuck is relaxing now that the high school journey has ended. Despite the rough times and the good times, he found a different reason to be thankful as he decides which college to attend.

“Wrestling made me a better person,” Tuck said. “I have to thank all my coaches for that. They all did a great job.”