Evans introduced to Iowa-ISU rivalry

IOWA CITY -- Mike Evans knew nothing about the Iowa-Iowa State wrestling rivalry before he came to college.

The Enola, Pa,, native and Blair Academy (N.J.) prep seems to have read the cliff notes of one most notable rivalries in college wrestling. Evans knows the two programs don't necessarily get along.

“We want to beat them and they want to beat us,” Evans said. “That's all I know.”

Evans, a red-shirt freshman, will take part in one of the feature bouts when Iowa State hosts top-ranked Iowa on Sunday at Hilton Coliseum in Ames, starting at 2 p.m. Evans, ranked 14th by InterMat, will face No. 5 Andrew Sorenson at 165 pounds.

Someone will get their first loss of the season. Both are 9-0 with Evans coming off a 5-0 over Dan Stelter in his Big Ten debut. He doesn't mind being in the spotlight, and is up for the challenge. He's anxious to play a role in the rivalry.

“That's awesome,” Evans said. “It's exciting. I want to go into their house and beat their kid and make him look bad in front of his hometown crowd.”

Evans admits he experience pre-match jitters, but those disappear once he gets a hold of his opponent. Evans is a unique individual with a unique style on the mat. At times, he can appear to be in dangerous positions, but Evans said he's always in control or working to get there. He said East Coast wrestling is more focused on mat wrestling, including the top position, while Midwestern wrestlers emphasize the neutral position and getting takedowns. Evans has been pushed to adapt.

“If anything it makes my neutral position a lot better,” Evans said. “I have to pick up the pace with everybody else.”

Hawkeyes Coach Tom Brands knows where his wrestlers thrive. He said Evans does a good job dictating action and relying on his strengths.

“He's done a pretty good job staying where he's good,” Brands said. “Now the competition is at a little bit different level and he's going to have to go again.”

Brands said he would defer to Evans to describe his personality. On the mat, he's all about scoring and pins.

“Putting points on the board,” said Evans, who posted a 165-8 prep record winning state and national titles as a senior at 189. “No one wants to see a 2-1 decision. They want to see falls. Just thinking about falls gets me excited.”

Evans and red-shirt freshman heavyweight Bobby Telford (8-0) will participate in the state-school grudge match for the first time. Taking center stage hasn't been intimidating to either yet.

“We'll see as we go forward,” Brands said. “We like how they're wrestling. We like how they train. We like what they're all about.”

Telford, ranked seventh, has brought an active and more athletic approach at heavyweight, earning the spot from defending Big Ten champion Blake Rasing, who was praised by Brands for his effort and attitude in his backup role. Telford's demeanor in practice maybe more impressive.

“You challenge him and it's more like ‘Is that all you got?' kind of response and that's what we like,” Brands said. “There's no sighing (or) complaining. It's all good. I lay it on him and he keeps responding.”

Brands is fully aware of what the Cyclones (0-5) are all about, even if they are searching for their first team win. He said Iowa State discussions started shortly after individuals finished their matches against Illinois. The Hawkeyes (4-0) have things to improve on from Friday.

“We've got to communicate as coaches,” Brands said. “They have to make adjustments as athletes, and away we go.”

Cyclones Coach Kevin Jackson will rely on solid upper weights to lead the way, including 10th-ranked 174-pounder Chris Spangler (2-1), No. 15 Boaz Beard (4-1) at 184 and heavyweight Matt Gibson (10-1), ranked 19th. His young team will need to be ready to go at the first whistle. Many, included the lower half consisting of all freshmen, will make their Iowa-ISU debut.

“Either you get prepared for it and you get mentally set for it and visualize it or you get rolled over in it,” Jackson said. “No one wants to be embarrassed, no one wants to get rolled over in it, so I continue to tell them that. Then we'll do some visualization, we'll do some other things in preparation for it.

“If we compete, we're going to be fine. If we do the things that are baseline for wrestling, we're going to be fine. If we don't, then we're not going to be fine - especially with a young group of guys that might get caught up in the environment if they get down by a few points and don't connect to what has to happen just in any wrestling match.”