SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — A former Brigham Young University track and field sprinter died Wednesday afternoon after a tragic mountain bike accident, according to a university press release.
Scott Mecham died after a “bad crash” while out mountain biking with a friend on Friday, September 12. He was airlifted to the University of Utah Medical Center after the accident.
He reportedly later transferred to the University of Utah. He had reportedly suffered a cervical spinal cord contusion, which left him mostly paralyzed from the neck down. Doctors removed some bone in his spine to allow room for swelling of the cord.
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Mecham passed away Wednesday afternoon, according to the university. He is survived by his wife Cierra and two daughters, Jayden and Parker.
“We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Scott Mecham,” said Ed Eyestone, BYU’s director of athletics. “Scott had one of the most positive attitudes and strong work ethic we’ve seen in the BYU track and field program. His teammates became better by his example, and he became one of our best 400-meter hurdlers in school history. But even more inspiring than his athletic skills, his true strength was his character and ability to lead and inspire in his unassuming, humble way. We will miss you, Scott.”
Mecham competed from 2017 to 2019, according to the university. He is said to have competed in 30 meets for the Cougars during his collegiate career. He is considered one of the program’s all-time best sprinters, with the sixth-best performance in the outdoor 400 m hurdles at the 2018 BYU Robison Invitational.
“Scott was an amazing athlete and an even more incredible person,” said Kyle Grossarth, who served as Mecham’s sprints coach. “He was a fierce competitor who always left it all out on the court.”
A GoFundMe has been set up to help Mecham’s family during this time.
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