A 19-year-old California college wrestling star has died after plunging nearly 400 feet while hiking with friends in Yosemite National Park.
Ryan George, a standout sophomore wrestler at Santa Rosa Junior College, was near Illilouette Falls on Sunday when he reportedly slipped off the trail and fell into the canyon below.
National Park Service law enforcement rangers later located his remains beneath the Glacier Point Trail area. Park officials have not released a detailed account of exactly how the fall happened, citing the ongoing fatality investigation.
The tragedy came just two days after George competed in the Dave Pacheco Invitational in Sacramento.
He finished second individually and helped Santa Rosa Junior College place second as a team.
George was already building an impressive wrestling career.
As a freshman last season, he earned All-American honors after finishing third in the 197-pound division at the California Community College Athletic Association state championships.
He entered that tournament ranked sixth and fought his way through the elimination bracket before securing third place.
His coaches say his impact went far beyond wrestling.
“If you knew Ryan, you know he was one of the most genuine, positive people you could ever meet,” head coach Fred Duerr said.
“He had this way of lighting up a room, making you feel welcome, and bringing out the best in everyone around him.”
Duerr described George as “always smiling, always encouraging, always full of life.”
“He was an amazing leader and wrestler, but more than that, he was an amazing human,” the coach said.
George had also built a strong reputation at Montgomery High School in Santa Rosa.
He won a North Bay League wrestling title and finished second at the North Coast Section championships before moving on to the junior college level.
His former high school coach, Ian Hesz, remembered him as the type of athlete who never complained and was always willing to help teammates.
George was also beginning to think seriously about his future.
According to local reports, he had considered transferring to a four-year wrestling program or entering a fire academy to pursue a career as a firefighter.
The loss is especially devastating for his family.
George’s father died when he was an infant, and his mother died only weeks before the Yosemite accident.
He is survived by his older sister, Jaida.
A fundraiser has since been created to help support her with funeral and living expenses.
Illilouette Falls is one of Yosemite’s dramatic year-round waterfalls, dropping roughly 370 feet through steep terrain.
George had been hiking with friends near the falls when the accident happened.
For the wrestling community in Santa Rosa, the sudden death of a 19-year-old athlete who had competed only days earlier has been difficult to process.
His coach said George will be remembered not only for what he accomplished on the mat, but for the energy and kindness he brought to everyone around him.
“We love you and we will miss you so much, Ryan,” Duerr said. “Thank you for everything you gave us all.”
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