Passages: Ty Wells, University of Arizona Swimmer, 23
Ty Wells, a fifth-year swimmer at the University of Arizona, passed away Friday. The school confirmed his death but did not reveal the cause. He was 23 years old.
“On behalf of the entire University of Arizona community, I want to extend our heartfelt condolences to the Wells family along with Ty’s friends, teammates, classmates and colleagues,” said Vice President and Director of Athletics Dave Heeke. “Ty was a tremendous young man who proudly represented the University of Arizona in the pool, classroom and community. He was a light that shined bright in the lives of everyone he came across, and we will keep him and his loved ones in our thoughts during this incredibly difficult time.”
Wells, a native of Manteca, Calif., and a graduate of Ripon High School, specialized in the breaststroke events during his time as a Wildcat, and last season, he placed 12th in the 100 breast at the Pac-12 Championships.
A GoFundMe page was established to “help his family, Mom and Dad, Sandy and Joe Wells, and their daughter Jessica, get thru this difficult time without having to do anything but grieve and cherish the times they had with their beautiful son Ty.” As of Monday evening, the account had more than doubled its initial goal of $25,000.
The GoFundMe page said: Our Arizona Wildcat swimming family was devastated at the sudden passing of one of our most adored swimmers this past Friday. He was a guiding light to all of his friends and teammates as well as to all of us parents. He brought out the best in all of us and cared so deeply for all of his friends. His spirit was contagious, his smile lit up a room and he was a big brother to so many.”
Prayers for all
Tragic