Arizona Wildcats swimmer Ty Wells passed away recently, dying suddenly and shocking his family, friends, and teamates with his sudden passing. Arizona athletic director Dave Heeke, for example, wrote:
“Ty was a decorated swimmer, dedicated student and outstanding leader who was a member of our Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and was passionate about serving in the community.
“He was also known for his smile that would light up a room and was a compassionate Wildcat who cared for all of his teammates as well as student-athletes from all our programs. Ty earned his college degree in May and was very proud to represent the University of Arizona as a Wildcat. We are grateful for his impact in the lives of countless members of the Arizona Wildcat community.
“We are keeping the Wells family, as well as Ty’s friends, teammates, colleagues and loved ones, in our thoughts as we remember this tremendous young man.”
We are deeply saddened by the loss of recent alum Ty Wells, who passed away on Friday.
Our heartfelt condolences are with his family, his friends and the entire @ArizonaSwimDive family. pic.twitter.com/ksUtynhXWy
— Arizona Athletics (@AZATHLETICS) January 30, 2023
Now, a cause of death has been released. Accordin to the Pima County Medical Examiner’s Office, Wells l died Jan. 27 of natural causes “secondary to a disseminated streptococcal bacterial infection following a protracted upper respiratory tract infection.”
Fox News Digital, adding a bit more detail on what that could have been, reported “Strep throat is usually treatable, but other forms of streptococcal bacterial infections could be more severe.”
Wells, before his passing sam the breaststroke event for the Arizona wildcats from 2018-22. He finished 10th in the Pac-12 Championships in the last season andwas the 2021-2022 CSCAA Scholar All-American. Wells earned his bachelor’s degree in health science and physiology in May 2022.
When Wells passed a GoFundMe page was created to help cover his funeral expenses. It 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.
We are grateful for anything 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.
He was an incredible young man who left his mark on all of us. He will be remembered by all of us with love in our hearts, FOREVER!! We are all better for knowing this beautiful young man.
His home club, Rippn Athletics, also commented on his untimely death and short life, saying:
As many of you may have heard by now, our team family lost a beloved friend with the passing of Ty Wells on Friday morning.
It is impossible to articulate in a short letter the impact Ty Wells had on our community. I trust as we grieve, celebrate, and remember Ty, he will be properly honored.
Over the past few days, I’ve heard him described as an “angel on earth,” “the brightest smile in the room,” “the warmest hug I’ve ever been given,” and “the best version of all of us.” For me…I have seen few people love so fiercely, consistently, and unapologetically the way Ty did as a friend, brother, son, and teammate.
By: Will Tanner. Follow me on Twitter @Will_Tanner_1
Featured image credit: GoFundMe
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