Sports

Wrestling Tourney Honors Student Killed

Saturday, Nov. 26 will see the 1st annual Ian Dykstra Memorial Wrestling Tournament at Temescal Canyon High School.

Ian Dykstra, 21, had a bright future. He was a Cal Poly Pomona senior who graduated from as star of the Titans wrestling team.

But on March 20, 2011, he was struck by a driver in Menifee, and seven days later he succumbed to his injuries.

Now, nearly eight month’s to the day, wrestlers will celebrate what Ian stood for.

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Saturday, Nov. 26 will see the 1st annual Ian Dykstra Memorial Wrestling Tournament at TCHS's Thunderdome, an event organized by his family, including his mom, father Jan, and younger brother Austin. Proceeds from the tournament will be split between the Temescal Canyon wrestling program and the Ian Dykstra Memorial Scholarship Fund.

“Strength through wrestling, and education through schooling" is his legacy, Christina said through a family spokesperson.

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According to a mission statement drafted by Jan, the Ian Dykstra Memorial Scholarship Fund is “dedicated to the growth of young minds with the will to do great things.”

Ian “had every quality that we in Lake Elsinore hold dear to our hearts. After wrestling for four years at Temescal Canyon High School, he graduated and continued his education at Cal Poly University, majoring in Mechanical Engineering, Sociology with a minor in Criminology,” Jan said in the mission statement.

Ian attended college while holding down a full-time work schedule, yet he still found time to coach at his high school alma mater, his dad said.

“My son was … still involved with the wrestling program at TCHS. He coached the JV boys last year,” Christina said.

“… Ian gave every minute that he had remaining and that is why he touched so many people,” Jan said. 

At Saturday’s tournament, nearly a dozen schools are expected to participate. During the event, athletes and attendees also have the chance to purchase T-shirts and memory bracelets, and an iPad donated by Jan’s employer will be raffled.

Jan is also asking local businesses and community members to support the Scholarship Fund through donations.

“This is the first tournament like this and is held to memorialize a true spirit of team dedication,” Jan said.

For more information about the event or how to donate to the Scholarship Fund, visit the non-profit’s Facebook page by clicking here.


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