Tragic Yosemite Hiking Accident
Santa Rosa Junior College Wrestler Ryan George Dies in Yosemite Fall
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Key Points
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Before attending Santa Rosa Junior College, George won the 2025 North Bay League title at 215 pounds and placed second at the North Coast Section championship.
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George finished his freshman season with a 23-4 record. At the state championship, after losing in the second round, he fought through the elimination bracket—including pinning fifth-ranked Dominic Sanders Jr.—to earn third place.
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George’s father died when he was an infant, and his sister Jaida has a two-month-old son, according to the GoFundMe description.
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George’s high school coach, Ken Coburn, said he was humble and respectful, and that he often had to “fake being cocky to build up his confidence” because he was not naturally competitive.
Ryan George, a 19-year-old wrestler at Santa Rosa Junior College, died after slipping and falling near Illilouette Falls in Yosemite National Park on September 20. The Inertia reported that George, an All-American who placed third at the California community college state championships as a freshman, fell approximately 400 feet below the Glacier Point Trail. Authorities are still investigating the incident.
George finished his freshman season with a 23-4 record and was remembered by coaches and family as a joyful, generous teammate who loved wrestling. Modesto Bee noted that the college's wrestling program confirmed his death on social media, sparking an outpouring of grief from his community. His mother had died weeks before the accident, and a fundraiser was organized to help his sister Jaida with expenses.
A Wrestler's Rapid Rise at Santa Rosa Junior College
George earned his All-American status through an impressive freshman campaign. According to reports, he placed third at the state championships after losing in the second round, then fighting back through the elimination bracket. He even pinned fifth-ranked Dominic Sanders Jr. during that comeback run.
Before college, George won the 2025 North Bay League title at 215 pounds and finished second at the North Coast Section championship. News-Gazette confirmed that his 23-4 freshman record showed his growth as a wrestler and his potential for a long career in the sport.
How Coaches Shaped His Quiet Confidence
George's high school wrestling coach, Ken Coburn, described him as humble and deeply respectful. Coburn said George often had to "fake being cocky to build up his confidence" because he wasn't naturally competitive. Despite this quiet nature, George's wrestling skills and work ethic set him apart.
When George moved to Santa Rosa Junior College, his coach Fred Duerr saw the same dedication. George was considering either transferring to a four-year college wrestling program or pursuing a career in firefighting—paths that showed both his athletic talent and his desire to serve others.
A Family Marked by Loss and Love
George's life had already been shaped by tragedy before his death. His father died when he was an infant, leaving him raised primarily by his mother. When she passed away just weeks before his accident, George was grieving deeply while pursuing his wrestling dreams.
He is survived by his sister Jaida, who has a two-month-old son. To help Jaida with immediate expenses, friends and family launched a GoFundMe campaign. The fundraiser reflected how much George had meant to his wrestling community and beyond.
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