Cleveland State’s Evan Cheek Claims All-American Honorable Mention

The National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) named Cleveland State wrestling red-shirt senior Evan Cheek an Honorable Mention All-American in a recent announcement. 

Rather than awarding merit-based Division I performances at the NCAA championships, this year the NWCA honored wrestlers based on their achievements during the regular season matches and tournaments after it canceled the national championships because of COVID-19. Coming in at 141 pounds, Cheek managed to clinch an Honorable Mention All-American.

At the end of the regular season, Cheek, slated as the 16 seed on the NCAA roster made up of 33 Division I athletes, ended his collegiate career with a record of 36-5. Being named an Honorable Mention All-American, Cheek said, is one of his greatest accomplishments in his career.

“It has always been a dream of mine to be an All-American," Cheek said. "I have worked my whole life to earn that name.” 

Cheek, a graduating senior this spring at Cleveland State, said being a student athlete has greatly helped him with his personal growth and has opened up countless opportunities for after graduation.

“Being an athlete at Cleveland State has given me so many opportunities that I would have never had if I was not wrestling here,” Cheek said. “I’ve met some great people through Cleveland State wrestling.”

After graduation Cheek plans to become a wrestling coach at the high school or college level. Cheek, who studied criminology, plans to also get a job in his degree field.