BUTLER TWP — Alex Evanoff, Jon Sanko and Ken Rosenbauer helped the Butler varsity wrestling team post one of its best seasons ever this year.

Now they're looking to do the same at Waynesburg University as all three will become part of the Yellowjackets' wrestling rebuilding project.

"It's a really nice fit for all three of those guys,"Butler coach Scott Stoner said. "They're rebuilding their numbers in that program, and all three may be able to get on the mat right away."

Waynesburg failed to win a dual match last season and could not field a full lineup. Former Jefferson-Morgan High coach Ron Headlee and former Waynesburg High coach John Yates, a Seneca Valley graduate, are the new wrestling coaches at the college.

Headlee is the head coach, Yates his assistant.

"Our immediate goal was to build the roster to 25 wrestlers and we're practically there,"Yates said.

"We want to finish above .500 next year, win the Presidents' Athletic Conference (something Waynesburg wrestling has never done) and develop at least three national qualifiers. We believe those are realistic goals."

Evanoff was 39-3 as a senior at Butler, breaking the Golden Tornado record for wins in a season, and 101-44 in his career. He wrestled at 145 pounds for Butler, but plans to bump up to at least 157 as a college freshman.

"My family and I visited Waynesburg my junior year and didn't like it,"Evanoff said. "When the day was done, we crossed it off our list.

"Right before the section meet this year, (Butler assistant coach Bill Mylan) suggested I look at Waynesburg again. He told me about the coaches they hired and their plans for the program."

Evanoff also looked at Duquesne, Millersville, Washington &Jefferson and Messiah before deciding on Waynesburg.

"My goal is to start as a freshman," he said. "I like what's happening down there."

Carrying a 3.94 grade point average, Evanoff plans to major in exercise science. Rosenbauer carries a 3.5 and will have the same major.

"We were hoping to get at least one of them and we got all three,"Yates said. "We're thrilled. Those guys can make an impact for us."

Sanko was 30-12 while competing at 140 or 145 pounds for the Tornado. He was 23-12 as a sophomore before attending North Catholic last year and not wrestling.

Sanko likely will compete at 141 at Waynesburg.

"He was our most improved wrestler as a sophomore,"Stoner said. "He got his academics in order, came back and improved all year."

Rosenbauer was 17-18 for the Tornado last year, but cut weight to 135 pounds to help the team field its best lineup.

"When it comes to work ethic, you can develop a program around him." Stoner said. "He's just amazing."

Also an outfielder on Butler's baseball team, Rosenbauer plans to play baseball at Waynesburg first, then wrestle if the two sports don't conflict with each other.

"Coach Stoner influenced me to go there," Rosenbauer said. "I was planning on going to Slippery Rock.

"I'll probably try wrestling at 133 pounds. It's a great sport and I'd love to stay with it."

Evanoff, Sanko and Rosenbauer all could start on the mat for Waynesburg next winter.

"That would be awesome, the perfect scenario,"Evanoff said.