Jorgensen

LA GRANDE — It only seemed fitting to La Grande wrestling coach Klel Carson to present the wrestler with the most impactful performance at the Muilenburg Invitational with an award named in honor of a former Tiger who lived his life exemplifying selflessness and dedication.

The recipient of the Ryan Jorgensen Outstanding Wrestler trophy is chosen by a vote of all the coaches at the tournament. The tradition was started by the family of Jorgensen, who died in October 2021 at the age of 41.

The death of the former La Grande High School wrestler and football player was a major loss for family, friends and all who knew him. Jorgensen was a four-time wrestling letter winner, a state runner-up and 1999 winner of the Reno Tournament of Champions. His athletic accomplishments were impressive, and his humanity made him uncommon.

“Ryan was so involved in our community, and it really hit our community hard. We just wanted to do something to honor him,” Carson said. “He was really involved in the community with coaching and volunteering. It is a tribute to him.”

Jorgensen would go on to wrestle for two years at Oregon State, but he never forgot where he came from, often spending time helping coach at the high school or jumping into a wrestling practice to roll with some of the upper weights in need of a partner.

Jacy, who married Ryan in 2008, said putting others before himself was a defining trait of her late husband, who worked as an engineer for Union Pacific Railroad.

“He would have to stay places on the road when he was working and he would tell me about how someone who was cleaning the hotel didn’t have money for food, so he would go buy food for them,” she said. “If he was able to help someone, he would.”

La Grande’s Mason Wolcott earned the award at the Dec. 8-9 tournament, marking the third time a La Grande wrestler has received the honor in the three years of its existence. He joins fellow Tiger wrestlers Braden Carson and Kai Carson as previous winners.

Each year, members of Jorgensen’s family attend the tournament to present the award to a wrestler. Klel Carson also read a tribute printed in the tournament program to Jorgensen before the start of the finals matches.

“It brings me joy just to know that people will remember him,” Jacy said. “Honoring him with this every year brings back memories of what he loved about the sport, or the many times he helped our boys with wrestling.”

Jorgensen’s brother, Eric, said the award is special to him because his brother was so passionate about helping students whenever possible.

“Ryan really had a desire and passion to help and coach, and I have seen that passion in everyone who has won the award so far,” he said.

The entire tournament is one of yearly remembrance for those in La Grande. Brian Muilenburg was a former La Grande wrestler who was killed in a car accident. His mother still attends each tournament and presents the team awards.

Uncommon mindset

Jorgensen did not find success on the wrestling mat right away, instead taking each loss not as a defeat, but as a chance to improve.

“His technique, drive and willingness to overcome obstacles stick out,” Eric said. “After a loss, he always came back a better wrestler. He would battle back through the consolation bracket when he was younger until he filled out and he never let losses bother him.

“He was always happy, even when he lost, because he knew what he was going to do to fix it.”

It is a mentality he passed down to his sons, Cole and Cain, instilling the idea of enjoying the things in life that they love regardless of the outcome.