A Spencer, Iowa, high school senior died Saturday just hours after collapsing at a wrestling tournament, and a preliminary investigation indicates natural causes may be to blame.
Spencer High School wrestler Austin Roberts, 18, was competing at the Spencer Invitational Saturday in the 220-pound title match when he fell to the
mat and didn't get back up, The Des Moines Register reported.
He later died at an area hospital, leaving his coaches, family, and friends all wondering how the tragedy occurred with no warning.
The Clay County Medical Examiner's office issued a statement saying that a preliminary investigation into Roberts'
death points to natural causes, according to KTIV.com.
Opponent Sioux Center coach Aaron Schmidt told The Register that "not a single thing" during the match worried him about Roberts.
"No slam, no hit heads, nothing. It was about as clean and classy as can be," he said. "It was one of those matches people would’ve continued to watch at the state tournament if it had been down there."
Spencer Community Schools
announced Roberts' death on Facebook and also
posted a link to a GoFundMe account set up to help the family cover medical and funeral expenses. The goal of $10,000 had been surpassed by mid-day on Monday, with the total then at just more than $34,000.
In a statement quoted by The Register, Roberts' wrestling coaches said, "Austin Roberts was a larger than life character. He had a large heart with a personality that could light up the room . . . In his matches his intensity attracted all eyes in the gym. Win or lose, Austin was still the same young man; one with a kindness unmatched by anyone."
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