Exira-EHK's Evan Hansen finds lessons in defeat

Hansen goes from last year’s champ at 145 pounds to third place medalist at 182 as junior

By Drew Herron - AJ/NT Sports / Feb. 28, 2014

ELK HORN - There are multiple wrestlers that had won a State championship a year ago, only to leave Des Moines this February with something less.

Exira-EHK junior Evan Hansen is one of those former champions, having seized a title last year as a sophomore at 145 pounds, yet didn’t make it all the way to Saturday night this winter. However, nobody else who fell short this year had to jump up four weight classes, and be expected to hold his own, no less.

That’s Evan Hansen.

“He’s wrestling probably 10 pounds lighter than everybody else in that bracket,” Spartans head coach Rick Andersen says. “And the State Tournament wears on you and takes its toll physically. That (quarterfinal) match took a lot out of him, and in the semifinal match, it just wasn’t quite him wrestling out there.”

A smaller figure at 182 this winter and giving away weight and strength to his opponents, Hansen went 57-1 with his superior technique and work ethic.

And despite his one loss (in the state semifinal), Hansen will move forward with his very bright future.

"I felt like I competed pretty well all season," Hansen says. "I've been out-muscled and out-sized, but I was able to use the strength I did have as well as my speed and my flexibility (to compete). I think maybe I could have done better, but still, third place at 182…I know  am going to come back stronger next year."

Hansen as well as his coaches hope he can again compete at 182 pounds next year, but considering his impressive growth from his freshman season (119) to his sophomore (145), and especially into this season, it is tough to say how much taller Hansen might end up. 

Regardless, he shifts gears into the offseason. For a enthusiast like Hansen who just wrapped up his 13th season in the sport, that entails a whole lot of wrestling on his own accord.

Last offseason, Hansen put most of his efforts into wrestling camps. This time around, he will still make those rounds (even more so), and the High Altitude Wrestling weekly sessions in Martensdale are expected to keep him close to top form.

But Hansen knows first hand the responsibility lies with him, and for the next 50 weeks, he's not going to leave anything to chance. That entails more time in the weight room and more running and conditioning. Hansen wouldn't want it any other way.

"What I like about wresting is it's your own sport," he says. "If you lose, it's your own fault and there is no one else to blame. Also, it teaches you a lot about life. If you give up in wrestling, you are going to get destroyed or hurt. And if you give up in life then you can figure it's going to hurt you eventually."

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