East County Mourns for Ryan Higgins

East county coaches and wrestling fans are saddened by the sudden loss of Ryan Higgins.  Ryan took his own life early in the morning on August 30 by jumping from the Coronado Bridge.  Ryan was a frequent contributer in the Valhalla Chat Room on this site, he loved everything about wreslting.  

Early reports  of Ryan's death were posted on this site and later confirmed by an SDPD wrestling parent and Phil Brents from the Chula Vista Star.  Phil is a journalist known for covering wrestling for many years.  His web site the Grappler featured Ryan in a series of stories in 2000 called "a Wrestler's Diary."  I remember the stories and followed Ryan his senior year, the hard work and disappointments he shared were open and honest.  He earned a place in my wrestling consciousness by sharing his true feelings and hurts with us then.  We all wish he could have done the same this week when he needed us the most.

Valhalla lost a wrestler to suicide two years ago at Christmas time.  We know how difficult recovery is for those left behind.  We will leave the following suicide prevention and assistance information links up as a permanent reminder of those lost and in the sincere effort to lose no more.

Services for Ryan will be held on Saturday, September 4th at 2:PM. 

Metro Christian Fellowship -- 9320 Willow Grove Ave., Santee, CA (Corner of Carlton Hills behind the ARCO Station).