Chartiers Valley wrestler wins PIAA title
Ain’t no mountain high enough in wrestling that Dylan Evans cannot climb. In fact, the Chartiers Valley junior has already reached the summit in scholastic competition. He is a PIAA state champion.
Evans achieved the feat March 12 when he eked out a 3-2 decision against Cathedral Prep’s Kaeman Smith in the 152-pound championship bout at the Giant Center in Hershey.
“This is something i have always wanted to accomplish. Even as a kid, I wanted to be a state champion. It’s not something many people can do. In the whole state there aren’t that many champions. So this means a lot. This is great.
“Now there are other mountains to climb,” Evans continued. “Find another challenge. Find a new peak because there is always going to be a new one out there.”
The next pinnacle is the World team trials April 23. Evans will travel to Las Vegas to compete for the 67-kilogram spot in the 17U division.
“Dylan sets his sights high and he keeps doing really great things,” said CV coach Bill Evans, who is also Dylan’s dad. “The impressive thing is how he always puts himself out there.”
At the PIAA Class AAA tournament, Evans put all he had out there on the mats.
He opened tournament action with wins against Latrobe’s Jack Fletcher, 4-2, and Shippensburg’s Dominic Frontino, 10-3. The decisions not only put him in the semifinals, they put him in the Century Club for 100 career victories.
“The 100th win was fantastic but the state gold medal is definitely a much larger accomplishment,” said Coach Evans. “Once Dylan got 100, all he cares about is the school record now.”
After he dispatched Altoona’s Luke Sipes, 8-1, in the semifinals, Evans focused all his energies and attention on his finals opponent.
Against Smith, Evans faced a controlled, disciplined wrestler from a school and coaching staff that produces some of the finest wrestlers in the country. So, according to Coach Evans, Dylan’s job was to maintain composure.
“Wrestling on that big stage, he looked calm and relaxed,” Coach Evans said. “He had a ton of focus and control.”
Evans said his coach was correct on the latter but quite wrong on the former.
“I was extremely nervous. My heart was racing 1,000 miles an hour,” he said.
“I did find a way to control it though by finding peace in the fact that I had put so many hours into this sport. I wasn’t going to let (nerves) ruin it for me.”
After a scoreless first period, the tension increased as Smith scored an escape to take a 1-0 lead. Three seconds into the third period, however, Evans evened the match as he escaped from his chosen bottom position. With some 20 seconds remaining in the bout, Evans scored the decisive takedown to insure victory.
“I was pushing the pace and going after him with solid attacks and movements but in the third period I sensed a shift in his style because he was tiring. He was trying to conserve his energy for one quick burst.
“That’s when I made my move and got the single leg. I stayed in the center of the mat because I wanted to win the match clean. I covered all the bases and there was no debate about the win.
“He was an amazing opponent,” Evans continued.
After sitting for a time on the mat with Smith, and after his hand was raised in victory, Evans jumped into the arm’s of his father.
“I was super excited,” he said. “It was such a special moment and he’s been behind me every step of the way.”
Coach Evans, who won about 70 matches in his career and was a WPIAL runner-up, exuded pride but not necessarily because of the victory. He is thrilled more with the person his son has become because of wrestling.
“Dylan talks all the time about how grateful he is to be able to wrestle, and the people that are supporting him on his journey. He’s also not afraid to take losses. He’ll find silver linings.
“I think that’s what I’m more impressed with: how he grows from adversity, than the actual accolades. That’s what is important to us as parents, that (our kids) will be OK when things get tough and we aren’t there to hold their hand anymore.”
Evans is a year away from making any college plans and being on his own. Until then he’ll focus on defending his title.
“I know there will be a target on my back,” he said. “There are things that need to be fixed and improved so I’m just going work. Just wrestle and stay at the top of the mountain.”