Evans leads list of Almanac all-stars
By Eleanor Bailey
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Dylan Evans dominated the mats this wrestling season. The Chartiers Valley junior won championships at the sectional, district, regional and state levels. He also joined the Century Club, recording his 100th career win during the PIAA Class AAA tournament.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Dylan Evans demonstrates those pinning moves that earned him Almanac Grappler of the Year for the second consecutive time. The Chartiers Valley junior won the 152-pound weight class during the district, regional and state levels this winter and recorded his 100th career victory during the 2021-22 campaign.
When Dylan Evans wrestles, he leaves everything he has on the mat for a reason.
“When the dust clears you don’t want to have a heartache. So you keep going and pushing because you don’t want to let your heart down.”
After two spectacular seasons at Chartiers Valley, Evans experienced only ecstasy this winter. His junior year was indeed heartwarming.
Evans earned his first state championship, capping a 33-4 season. A three-year state qualifier, he had already earned medals, eighth as a freshman and fourth as a sophomore.
Additionally, Evans captured his initial WPIAL/Southwest Regional title to go along with a section crown. In 2021, he was a WPIAL bronze medalist and section runner-up.
“So obviously this was the most exciting and rewarding (season),” Evans said. “Whenever I wrestle, I don’t want to have regrets when I step off that mat. I am happy to say that I don’t have any. It’s a good feeling to be a champion.”
A championship could have eluded Evans had he not prepared physically and mentally for the grueling campaign. He took his lumps early in the season, suffered a nagging injury and battled some illness.
“Dylan never lost his focus,” said CV coach Billy Evans, who is also Dylan’s dad. “He had a goal to win a state title and he didn’t let any of those setbacks stand in his way.
“He was definitely tested mentally along the way but found a way to remain positive in the face of adversity. That was the difference-maker. He was grateful to be out there competing and he continued to find joy in the process.”
Evans credited the CV athletic training staff for nursing him back from his rib injury as well as his coaches, both his varsity and club mentors, with their practice methods.
“I would not have been able to achieve anything without the support I received from so many people,” he said. “I am so grateful to everybody.”
Evans is also appreciative for the honors that come as a result of being the best at what he does.
For the second year in a row, Evans has earned the distinction as The Almanac’s Most Valuable Grappler.
“I’m thankful and happy to achieve this,” he said. “It’s a good feeling.”
Coach Evans added that it’s a huge honor because the schools the The Almanac encompasses consistently produce Division I talent and All-Americans.
“Just being chosen to the list of wrestlers is an achievement, but to be a member of the fraternity of wrestlers that have been named the wrestling “MVP” is truly humbling, especially since this is his second year in a row that he has received this honor.”
Evans is determined not to rest on his laurels. As a senior next year, he will be gunning for his second district and state titles, a scholarship and more accolades.
“Hopefully, I can make it three years in a row,” he said. “But I gotta stay at it and start back training.”
In April, Evans will travel to Las Vegas with the intention of earning a spot on the World Junior Wrestling Team. In the summer, he will head back to Fargo, N.D., to challenge for national championships. Last year, he placed third in both freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling.
“Dylan had an amazing season and was in the right frame of mind,” said Coach Evans. “He’s going to keep working hard because he wants to stay on top.”
Evans was not the only one at the top of his game this wrestling season.
Peters Township’s Derrick Evanovich again guided the Indians to a section title and an appearance in the WPIAL team tournament. For his efforts, he has repeated as Almanac Coach of the Year.
Two join EvansChartiers Valley seniors Christopher (CC) Beatty and Joshua Sarasnick join Dylan Evans as repeat Almanac all-stars.
Beatty posted a 99-33 career record. Of his 99 victories, 69 were by fall. Only 16 were by regular decisions.
At 160 this season, he mounted a 29-9 record complete with an Allegheny County championship. He was the section runner-up and a fifth-place finisher in the WPIAL. In addition, he took second at the Burgettstown Tournament.
“CC is definitely on a short list of one of my favorite kids that I have ever coached,” said Evans. “If I could bottle whatever it is that makes him tick, I’d be a millionaire.
“He is a fierce competitor, but probably the nicest young man you’d ever meet once the match is over. His hard work and positive attitude made him a truly special athlete to coach.”
Sarasnick joined the Century Club this winter. His 107 career wins ranks him eighth on CV’s all-time list, trailing two-time NCAA All-American Matt Wilps (’08) by one victory.
In 2022, Sarasnick mounted a 30-9 record. A section winner, he also won championships at Charters-Houston and Burgettstown tournaments. He took third in the county and sixth in the WPIAL.
While he was one of the most successful wrestlers in the history of the school district, Sarasnick won big. He was a bonus-point juggernaut as 77 percent of his victories resulted in major decisions or better. He racked up 65 wins by fall.
“Josh’s size is intimidating, but he is actually one of the most personable and funniest wrestlers that I have ever coached,” Evans said. “Josh always brought a contagious smile and comic relief to the team. His leadership will definitely be missed.”
Three stars for LeboMt. Lebanon opens and closes the list of all-star wrestlers with Ejiro Montoya at the lightest weight and Ben Lloyd at the heaviest.
A sophomore, Montoya qualified for the WPIAL/Southwest Regional tournament with a third-place finish in the Section 4-AAA championships. He was a fourth-place finisher in the Eastern Area and Allegheny County tournaments. Montoya posted a 28-9 record.
“Ejiro led the pack of our underclassmen,” said Lebo coach Marc Allemang. “He had an exceptional first varsity season. We are looking forward to having him push the pace in the room the next few years.”
A freshman, Lloyd demonstrated marked improvement as the season progressed. He took his lumps early as the 15-year-old, 218-pounder learned the wrestling ropes. By the end of the year, he was beating wrestlers that he had lost to during season. In fact, he qualified for the WPIAL/Southwest Regional Tournament and defeated wrestlers from Highlands and Connellsville to finish 2-2.
“Ben’s record (10-23) does not do his performance at the end of the season justice,” said Allemang. “His growth was one of the best on the team. It took Ben some time to figure out his wrestling and how to compete as a really light heavyweight. He peaked at the right time and I anticipate he will continue to transition into a quality heavyweight.”
Allemang added that Lloyd reminds him of a young Nathan Hoaglund when he also was in ninth grade. Hoaglund now wrestles at the University of Pennsylvania.
After a stellar scholastic career, Mac Stout has a bright future at the University of Pittsburgh. A member of the Century Club, Stout finished 133-16 overall. He missed much of his junior year to an elbow injury that required surgery.
This winter, Stout compiled a 41-1 record. The lone loss came in the PIAA semifinals. He finished third in the state.
Stout was named the Outstanding Wrestler at the WPIAL/Southwest Regional championships. He also garnered that distinction at the Allegheny County championships. In addition, Stout was a section, Eastern Area and Powerade champion.
“Mac is one of the best wrestlers in the nation and he put that on display each time he took the mat,” Allemang said. “His accomplishments over the past four years speak for themselves. I am going to miss having him in the room. He is the last of the three brothers that I have had the privilege to have coached over more than a decade.”
McMillon earns ROTYDarius McMillon leads the list of Peters Township representatives on the Almanac all-star squad.
A freshman, he garnered Rookie of the Year honors as well as all-star recognition at 113 pounds.
McMillon rolled up a 30-5 record during his inaugural season of scholastic wrestling.
A Section 4 champion, he lost a tough decision, 1-0, to Seneca Valley’s Ty Chappell in the WPIAL/Southwest Regional championship match. A state qualifier, he won his opening match before falling to eventual champion, Zachary Jacaruso, 5-2, in the quarterfinals.
Chris Cibrone and Noah Schratz join McMillon on the all-star list. The duo dominated the mid-section of the Indians’ lineup.
Cibrone is a two-time Almanac all-star. At 138, he posted a 30-12 record. A sophomore, he took third in the section and qualified for the WPIAL/Southwest Regional, where he was 2-2
At 145, Schratz finished 21-14 on the year. A junior, he was the section runner-up. In the regional, he won his first match but was eliminated after two losses in a tough weight class.
BP gets 3 starsMason Kernan, Ethan Higgins and Ryan Walsh gained all-star distinction from Bethel Park.
Kernan was The Almanac’s Rookie Of The Year last year. A sophomore this season, he posted a 38-4 overall record.
Kernan won championships at the Eastern Area, Southmoreland and Allegheny County tournaments. Kernan qualified for the PIAA tournament after finishing runner-up at the sectional and fourth at the district and regional levels.
Higgins and Walsh were also WPIAL/Southwestern Regional qualifiers.
At 132, Higgins collected a 24-18 record. He placed third at the sectional and was a medalist at the county championships.
At 172, Walsh rolled up a 31-6 record. He, too, took third at sections and was a county medalist.
A freshman, Walsh won a match at regionals but lost to eventual WPIAL and PIAA champion Rocco Welsh from Waynesburg. Walsh was 2-2 in the tournament.
Biano shinesWhile his teammate James Anderson collected 31 wins and placed sixth in the WPIAL, Johnny Biano competed in the 126-pound weight class during the post-season tournaments for South Fayette.
Biano placed third in the section and qualified for the district and Southwest Regional tournaments. The sophomore posted a 2-2 record in the WPIAL tournament and finished 25-11 overall.
“Johnny was much improved from last season,” said SF skipper Rick Chaussard. “He did what was asked of him to help the team.”
106-Ejiro Montoya, Mt. Lebanon 28-9
113-Darius McMillon, Peters Township 30-5
120-Mason Kernan, Bethel Park 38-4
126-Jonny Baiano, South Fayette 25-11
132-Ethan Higgins, Bethel Park, 24-18
138-Chris Cibrone, Peters Township, 30-12
145-Noah Schratz, Peters Township, 21-14
152-Dylan Evans, Chartiers Valley. 33-4
160-CC Beatty, Chartiers Valley, 28-9
172-Ryan Walsh, Bethel Park, 31-6
189-Mac Stout, Mt. Lebanon, 38-1
215-Joshua Sarasnick, Chartiers Valley, 30-9
285-Ben Lloyd, Mt. Lebanon, 10-23
MVP DYLAN EVANS, CHARTIERS VALLEY
HONORABLE MENTION: Bryson Bench (25-13), Landon Hartman (25-17); Cordan McDonnell (22-16)-Bethel Park; Brady Joling (33-15)-Chartiers Valley; Nick Busalacchi (19-13)-Mt. Lebanon; Richard Meyers (19-17); Phillip Nave (29-11)-Peters Township; James Anderson (31-13), Jacob Potts (24-15), Dominic Oliastro (21-9); Talan Mizenko (20-13), Luke Dunlap (SF, 20-3)-SF; Ben Cedar (17-9), Dan Martin (20-13), Ty Shields (22-15)-Upper St. Clair;
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR DARIUS MCMILLON, PETERS TOWNSHIP
GRAPPLERS TO WATCH: Seth Miller (20-13); A.J. McGarrity, PT (16-17) Franco Busalacchi (11-16) and Joe Gamble (10-11)-Mt. Lebanon; Luke Dunlap (20-3)-South Fayette
COACH OF THE YEAR DERRICK EVANOVICH, PETERS TOWNSHIP
The Almanac wrestling all-star team was selected with the help of area coaches and based on match competition as well as final season records and showings in postseason action.