Josh Evans is proof that hard work pays off.

The soon-to-be Palmerton graduate wrapped up his stellar scholastic wrestling career by capturing a 138-pound fifth-place medal at the PIAA Championships and finishing the year with a 36-4 record.With a remarkable season behind him, Evans will now turn his attention to what lies ahead, which is an opportunity to wrestle for a Division I program in Eastern Michigan University.Despite having several options, it didn't take long for the 2013-14 TIMES NEWS Wrestler of the Year to make his decision."It came down to Eastern Michigan and Wilkes," Evans said. "When I went out there (Eastern Michigan), I was kind of thinking it would be the right fit. But once I got on the campus, I just kind of knew it and had that feeling."Not much of the (wrestling) team was there when I went out because it was over Easter break. But the guys that I met were really nice and I really enjoyed the team atmosphere."Unfortunately, that dynamic was recently altered slightly after the Eagles lost their head coach when Derek DelPorto resigned in May.But several EMU assistants that had recruited Evans remain; something he hopes will benefit a team that went 13-7 overall and 3-4 in the Mid-American Conference."I don't think it's going to change the program at all," Evans remarked. "I still think that I'm going to have a good time and have success there."And overcoming a bit of adversity isn't exactly something that's uncommon for Evans.Prior to all of his triumphs this season, Evans was left with a bitter taste in his mouth after failing to make weight at the District 11 Class AA tournament during his junior year. The incident was one Palmerton head coach David Lavin felt meant more than any of his potential accomplishments on the mat that season."I remember saying this to him at the time, and probably at the time it didn't sink in because it was one of those tough situations, that it was one of those things that might help him more in the long run than having success that year," Lavin said. "Falling short and facing adversity really made him reevaluate what he was doing. He made a lot of major changes to how he approached wrestling, which was for the better. He was much healthier and his philosophy was much healthier this season."It showed, as Evans was able to claim silver this year at the district tournament and take gold the following week at the Southeast Regional competition, successes he credited to Lavin."He's definitely helped me a lot over the years," Evans said of his coach. "He's helped me develop as a wrestler, just working on my technique and things like that."But he's also helped me off the mat, kind of mentoring me and making sure I have the right mindset going into each match. He's a great coach and I'd trust him with anything."While Evans' achievements on the mat create optimism that his success will continue at the next level, it's what he does off the mat that has Lavin confident of what he can accomplish moving forward."He's very well-rounded and independent," the coach said. "He structures his workouts and his academics, and does it all very well. He's never needed someone to be on top of him telling him what to do, and that really makes a huge difference, not having to adjust to that."Evans, who will major in nursing, has shown that he's more than capable of holding his own in the classroom as well, winning the District 11 wrestling AA Scholar Athlete of the Year award in addition to being ranked No. 1 in his class."I definitely want to be an Academic All-American more than once," he said. "I'd like to be a national qualifier, and my ultimate goal is to become an All-American. I don't think it's unattainable. If I work hard, it's definitely possible."As does Lavin."He has the potential, both academically and athletically, to be very successful," Lavin said. "Doing that at the next level requires more work. But he has the tools to do that. He wants to do well and he's very motivated."He's excited about the challenge, and that's the first step."