SONOMA COUNTY, CA — Ryan George placed second at a Sacramento wrestling tournament Friday. Two days later, the Santa Rosa Junior College wrestler died after a fall while hiking with friends in Yosemite National Park. He was 19.
SRJC wrestling coach Fred Duerr announced George's death in a tribute from the athletics department. Details are limited right now, and it's been a really hard time trying to process everything, Duerr said.
"If you knew Ryan, you know he was one of the most genuine, positive people you could ever meet," Duerr said. He called George "an amazing leader and wrestler" and "the kind of friend everyone wishes they had in their life."
George grew up in Santa Rosa and graduated from Montgomery High School.
As an Santa Rosa Junior College freshman last season, he earned All-American honors and placed third in the California Community College Athletic Association wrestling tournament.
At Friday's Dave Pacheco Invitational at Sacramento City College, he placed second and helped the Bear Cubs finish second as a team, according to the Press Democrat.
George was born Aug. 28, 2007. His father died when he was an infant, and his mother died just weeks before her son.
His older sister, Jaida George, described him as a natural athlete and said wrestling suited him.
A GoFundMe fundraiser has been established to support her.
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