Hard work breeds success for EF’s Lewis
By Jose Negron
jnegron@yourmvi.com
Even the COVID-19 pandemic doesn’t seem to be able to slow down Evan Lewis.
A three-sport athlete at Elizabeth Forward who saw his junior baseball season end before it even began in March, Lewis hasn’t let social distancing measures and stay-at-home orders interfere with his off-the-field preparation for two of his three sports.
“My mentality after hearing there would be no spring ball was to get better and prepare for summer baseball (with Team All American),” said Lewis, who plays football, basketball and baseball at Elizabeth Forward. “I tried to look at it as a positive. I would have lots of time to get bigger, faster and stronger. Everyone is going through the same thing, so why not try and benefit from it?”
Free time isn’t something Lewis is used to.
During the school year, he’s normally jumping from playing football for head coach Mike Collodi in the fall, to performing on the basketball court for head coach Matt Loftis in the winter, to stepping foot on the baseball diamond for head coach Frank Champ in the spring.
While he would much rather be playing baseball during these unprecedented times, Lewis is working tirelessly to use his spare time wisely.
“I would say I’m getting more work in now than I do during the seasons and school,” said Lewis, who also boasts a 4.5 grade point average in the classroom. “When I go from football, to basketball, to baseball, it’s hard to get in work in all sports. I have never had this much time on my hands so I’m trying to take advantage of it.”
Since the beginning of the pandemic, a typical day for Lewis usually begins with a football workout organized by Collodi through Zoom. The workouts are held Monday through Thursday beginning at noon.
Lewis then follows that workout with a weightlifting session at home before meeting up with football teammate Chase Whatton for a training session focusing on speed and footwork.
“Evan’s constantly working, trying to get better and perfect his craft,” Collodi said. “Whether it’s in baseball, football or basketball, he wants to be the best player that he can possibly be. The only way you can do that is with hard work and Evan works as hard as anybody.”
Later on in the day, Lewis shifts his attention toward baseball.
He said he’ll usually throw and hit with his father, George, or a teammate before following daily workouts designed by his baseball coaches.
“I can confidently say Evan is one of the best athletes I’ve ever been around. He honestly can do it all,” said Whatton, another three-sport athlete who competes in football, basketball and track and field at EF.
“Evan never has to be asked twice from a coach to do something. From football in the fall to basketball in the winter to baseball in the spring and summer, that kid just does not stop. I’m proud of him.”
Lewis has documented some of his workouts with Whatton as well as his hitting sessions on social media.
Working out with Whatton, a Division I football prospect who currently possesses 30 offers, isn’t an unusual occurrence for Lewis, but the duo has had to adapt a bit.
“Once all this started, it went from training at gyms to our houses and open fields,” Lewis said. “We also travel to Schenley Park two to three times a week to work out with our speed trainer, Tayvon Jenkins, and other athletes throughout the WPIAL.”
Lewis is an example that hard work breeds success as he’s been a factor over the past few seasons in each of his three sports.
On the football field, the 5-10, 175-pound Lewis serves as an athlete on the offensive side of the ball and an all-conference safety on defense.
This past season alone, Lewis played everywhere for Collodi and the Warriors, including slot receiver, running back and quarterback.
“He has a great work ethic and he’s very athletic,” Collodi said. “The kid just never stops and along with his work ethic, he’s highly intelligent. We put him everywhere last year and he never complained. You just plug him in anywhere and he’s so intelligent that he just gets it.”
In addition to being a two-year starter and a defensive force for Loftis and the EF boys basketball team, Lewis has served as a key impact player for the EF baseball program.
A two-year starter at catcher, Lewis has the versatility to play multiple defensive positions in the infield and outfield, while adding the ability to cause headaches for opposing pitchers at the plate.
As a sophomore last season, Lewis hit .453 with 29 hits, 10 RBIs and a team-high 20 runs scored. He hit .290 with 18 hits, eight RBIs and 10 runs scored as a freshman in 2018.
Lewis admits he’s always had a goal in mind to play collegiate sports at the Division I level. Due to his excellence in both academics and athletics, Lewis has been targeted by a number of Ivy League and Patriot League schools, and could see more than a few offers come in as his senior year gets underway in the fall.
“Evan will definitely have his share of opportunities to possibly be a two-sport athlete,” Collodi said.
“My goal my whole life has been to play at the collegiate level whether it’s football, baseball or both,” Lewis said. “It’s something I’ve worked at since I was a young kid and now that next level is fast approaching.”
