Big man on campus: Newberg’s Charlie Evans earns third wrestling state championship

By René Ferrán | Photos by Taylor Balkom

Charlie Evans found his journey to a third state championship this winter a bit easier if for one reason only.

“During COVID, I got up to 182 pounds,” Evans said following his 8-2 decision over Roseburg’s Varrius Scanlan in the 152-pound 6A final Sunday at Sandy High School. “This year, I stayed around 170 during football season, and I sit around 165 right now, so going down each week is not too difficult if I eat healthy, stay on pace, and not do anything too bad like eating marshmallows.”

Evans finished the season 41-0 (136-12 for his career) and now relishes the opportunity to eat marshmallows and anything else he wants.

“My goal is to get up to 190,” he said, a big smile on his face. “I’m going to get super big now.”

Entering the weekend as a No. 1 seed, riding a 65-match win streak that dated to the Reser’s Tournament of Champions his sophomore year, he didn’t feel any nerves.

“I knew I just had to keep my weight down and do everything right, every little thing,” he said. “When I come to these big tournaments, I tell myself I deserve it. I know I’ve worked the hardest. I count on that.”

If Evans has but one regret, it’s his loss to Centennial senior Phillip Kue (himself a three-time champion who went 55-0 that season) in the state final his freshman year — the only loss Evans experienced in four state meets, which cost him a chance at joining his buddy, Ayden Garver, as a four-timer.

“I’ve relived it over and over and over,” Evans said. “Since that freshman year, I’ve grown a ton. If I could have a shot at Phillip — if he’s reading this, I want that back. It would be different now.”