When Aushaud “Petey” Evans stepped on a wrestling mat for the first time, he had no idea what to expect. He didn’t know much about wrestling; he just wanted to hang out with his friends. And one of his best friends wrestled. He quickly discovered that not only did he enjoy the sport, but he was also pretty good at it.
“I kept wrestling because it kept me active and it made me work hard. Within a couple of weeks, I was getting the hang of it,” he said.
Now in his third year on the mat, Evans has made a name for himself through his work ethic, energy, positive attitude, and, of course, his talent.
“I try to work hard. I push others to get better, and they turn around and push me as well. I also pay attention to my coach and do what he says,” he said.
His attention to detail has paid off pretty well. Evans finished last year with a 15-5 record and won two meets outright. He went to regionals but didn’t do as well as he had hoped. This year, he would like to get back to regionals and move on to state. At the time of this interview, he was doing what he needed to do to make that happen – he was undefeated and he looked to be in great early-season shape.
“I just need to get better and keep working. I need to find my limits and then go beyond them. That will help me get to state,” he said.
Evans is such a mild-mannered kid that his wrestling ability caught a lot of folks off guard, none more so than his grandfather, Steve Hunter, with whom Evans lives.
“He is so aggressive when he wrestles. When I saw him for the first time, I couldn’t believe it. He was fast and he could really wrestle. He 
was only 76 pounds then. He won a lot of matches and tournaments,” Hunter said.
Evans, now wrestling at 100 pounds, is much more than an athlete. He is also a tremendous student who understands that hard work extends to the classroom as well.
“He is very good in school. He respects his teachers. He’s a hard worker. He also helps out around the house. He’s just an all-around great kid,” Hunter said.
Evans also plays football for Valdosta Middle. A cornerback, Evans is looking forward to the day when he can join the Valdosta High Wildcats.
“I want to be a Wildcat. I love playing defense, and I love the intensity of football. It’s something else that keeps me working and active,” he said.
Favorites:
• Sport to watch on TV: College football
• Team: LSU Tigers
• Sport you wish you could play: Rugby
• Subject: Social studies
• Superhero: Batman
• Super power: Super speed
• Food: Ribs
Rising Star/South Georgia/December 2014
Aushaud Evans
Valdosta Middle School
Valdosta, Georgia
Robert Preston Jr.
VMS eighth grader has bright future in wrestling, football
