Wagoner 8th Grade Wrestler Dies During Practice

A Wagoner eighth grader died during wrestling practice at the middle school Wednesday night. Now, the community is struggling to understand what happened and why.

The student was 14-year-old Ty'Darius Penney. His love of sports took him from the gridiron to the wrestling mat, where he lost his life.

An athletic, outgoing 14-year-old, a life full of promise, a death full of questions.

"I do not have the answers. There's not an answer why," said Monte Thompson, Wagoner Superintendent.

Thompson says all he has are stories from Ty'Darius Penney's final wrestling practice.

It was wrapping up -- as the team took a final jog around the mat to cool down. That's when administrators say Penney collapsed and the coaching staff called 911.

An ambulance took Penney to the hospital, but the quick-thinking wasn't enough to save his life.

"There can't be a lowest low in education to be in charge of a child, and that child passes away," Thompson said.

Penney's wrestling teammates watched it happen. Administrators gathered the athletes early this morning.

"It was a pretty straightforward talk. We've lost a good young man at the fault of none of the students, none of the coaches," Thompson said.

Extra counselors and youth ministers came to both the middle and high schools to help students grieve. Final exams are postponed until after winter break.

"Not a whole lot of math and reading is taking place. We're dealing with the humanistic side of education and dealing with our loss," Thompson said.

Notes of sorrow fill several Facebook pages in memory of the eighth grader.

"Students at that age are going to question, 'Could I have done something?' And also my coaching staff," Thompson said.

The final moments of Penney's life boiled down to what-ifs. Details administrators say they're already reviewing, hoping no other child dies at their schools.

The Medical Examiner's office hopes to have a better idea of what caused Ty'Darius Penney's death Friday.

In the meantime, the Wagoner wrestling team canceled Thursday night's match, and is still deciding if students will be ready to compete in a tournament this weekend.