December 4, 2024

OC Sports Zone: Community First

Concordia water polo team cancels season opener after death of freshman Ryder Wade

A tribute to Garrett Ryder Wade was at the base of the ampitheatre at Concordia where the vigil was held Friday night. (Photo courtesy Ben Rosehart/CUI Athletics)

Concordia University’s men’s water polo match scheduled for Wednesday against Cal Baptist was cancelled as Eagles’ players and coaches continued to mourn the death of freshman Garrett Ryder Wade.

The game was scheduled to be the first of the season for the team.

Wade, a former El Modena High School standout, died last Friday from injuries suffered in a traffic accident in Irvine.

The Eagles were then scheduled to face UC Davis, but it has also been cancelled because the program is not fielding water polo this semester, according to Ben Rosehart, sports information director at Concordia. The date for the team’s new season opener has not been finalized.

Concordia students honored Wade in a vigil last Friday night. Plans for services have not been announced, Rosehart said.

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com