CLEVELAND, Ohio (March 10) – Heading into Saturday's second day of competition at the NCAA Division III National Wrestling Championships, Waynesburg junior Jake Evans knew he had two things ahead of him: a spot on the medal stand and a daunting road to traverse if he wanted to become the first tournament champion in school history. The Yellow Jacket standout didn't shy away from the challenges and will come back to Pennsylvania as the new national heavyweight champion.
 
After going 2-0 on Friday to reach the semifinal round, Evans picked up two more victories on Saturday to win the gold at Cleveland's Public Auditorium. Yellow Jacket head wrestling coach Ron Headlee was thrilled for the now-two-time All-American, who also became the ninth All-American during Headlee's decade with the program.
 
"It was some pretty exciting stuff. I am very happy for Jake," Headlee said. "He works so hard everyday and that's just what he did; he outworked everyone at this tournament. He kept believing in himself, just like he has done all year."
 
Evans' first opponent on day two of the event was a familiar one in Lance Evans of Wartburg. The top-seeded former Iowa Hawkeye and returning third-place finisher pinned Jake Evans in last year's national tournament.
 
The two orange and black-clad competitors battled over seven minutes, with Waynesburg's Evans using an excellent effort from the top position and several strong shots to take a 7-6 lead and a riding point into the latter portion of the contest. Wartburg thought they had picked up a buzzer-beating takedown that would have sent the contest into overtime, but the official initially did not award two points.
 
Wartburg's coaching staff challenged the ruling, but ultimately was not given the takedown, allowing Jake Evans to earn an 8-6 victory with the riding point and punch his ticket for the finals.
 
"I was pretty confident we were going to get the call," Headlee said. "I was watching the clock and it had already hit zeros by the time the move was complete. I really wasn't worried."
 
Evans' finals opponent was second-seeded James Bethel of Oneonta State. Bethel looked like a man on a mission after pinning all three of his opponents to reach the title tilt.
 
With just over a minute remaining in the championship bout, Bethel held a 5-4 edge. However, Evans was able to overpower Bethel on a double-leg shot, not only getting the go-ahead takedown, but sticking him to his back for a six-point move. Evans rode Bethel for the remainder of the contest, giving him the 285-pound crown.
 
"He exemplifies everything we try to do with our guys, " Headlee said. "This was monumental. (Assistant coach) Gennaro (Bonaventura) and the rest of the staff have done a great job helping him out this year. It was pretty neat getting to see everything he accomplished this year."
 
Headlee also thanked the Waynesburg University campus community as a whole for putting their full support behind Evans and the rest of the team.
 
"I was getting texts from our baseball team saying they were going to watch us tonight. (Waynesburg University) President (Douglas G.) Lee came out and watched us as well. "Headlee said. "It means a lot to have so many people take an interest in us. We are so thankful and feel so blessed for everything the school does for us and how much it supports us."
 
NOTE: Evans, senior 125-pounder Tristan Buxton and sophomore 197-pounder Ken Burrs combined to score 20 points and give Waynesburg the number-20 spot in the team standings.