Jake Evans, the number-one ranked 285-pounder in Division III began his run with a 13-6 decision over Clarion's Brylee Shumaker and followed that by pinning Kent State's Jacob Cover in 2:59. He advanced into the semifinals by edging The University of Buffalo's Nolan Terrance 3-1. Evans' run at a title ended at the hands of Pitt's Demetrius Thomas, who knocked the Jacket big man into consolations.
Things didn't appear to get any easier for Evans when it came to his consolation semifinal opponent, Seth Nevills. Nevills, a highly prized recruit for the defending Division I national champions from Penn State, came into the 2018-19 season as the number-two ranked heavyweight recruit in the country and was a rare four-time California state champion. Evans showed no fear of his opponents' impressive resume, as he dispatched him with a workman-like 6-1 decision. Evans ended his day by downing Clarion's Edgar Ruano with an 8-0 major decision.
