After taking a year to recover from a season ending shoulder injury, Evan Ramos is back wrestling for the Raiders.

He is off to a hot start — recording a pin and technical fall in the first two dual meets of the season. Ramos became a dominant force on the mat, going 21-6 wrestling for the Raiders at 184 pounds as a freshman, prior to getting hurt. He originally hurt his shoulder during his junior year of high school, though the labrum tear was not substantial enough to require surgery.

It came to a point during his freshman season where the shoulder kept giving out. “I tried to push through it but it kept hurting me throughout matches. It ended up being a torn labrum plus some bone chipping. Overall the surgery and recovery process went well and I’m excited to be back,” Ramos said.

Recovery time for a torn labrum is a six to eight months. Ramos chose to take medical redshirt sitting out the 2015 season so he had time to strengthen and rehabilitate his shoulder before returning back to action.

“Having to sit out a year was rough mentally but I think it was the best decision for the recovery of my shoulder,” Ramos said. “I was happy last season seeing my teammates and brother achieve success. At the same time it was tough because I think it is a very real thing for me to become an All-American. Last season was the first time in my athletic career that I have had to sit out a season,” Ramos said.

Ethan Ramos, the older twin by a few minutes, took a redshirt during his freshman year and stressed to his brother the importance of using it to make gains. “Evan needed to get it taken care of. He had the year to focus on sharpening his technique and improve his cardio. He got stronger and grew into the 197-pound weight class, where I think he is quicker and more athletic than most big guys and can make a run for a national title,” Ethan said.

Raiders wrestling coach Seth Bloomquist is confident that Ramos can make a splash on the national scene. “The goal of any coach is to keep their athletes injury free and healthy. If we can keep him healthy as the season progresses I think that Evan is capable of winning a national title,” Bloomquist said.

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