Former BYU sprinter from Rigby dies following mountain biking accident

Sean Walker, KSL.com

PROVO, Utah (KSL.com) — A erstwhile BYU way and section sprinter has died aft suffering superior injuries successful a upland biking accident, his family and nan assemblage person confirmed.

Scott Mecham, 30, died Wednesday aft what his family called “a very bad crash” while upland biking pinch a friend connected Friday, Sept. 12.

The erstwhile collegiate hurdler who ran for nan Cougars from 2017-19 was taken by emergency aesculapian unit to a section infirmary and past transported by chopper to nan University of Utah aesculapian halfway pinch a cervical spinal contusion that near him “mostly paralyzed” from nan cervix down, according to a connection from nan family, where he died Wednesday afternoon.

“We are profoundly saddened to perceive of nan passing of Scott Mecham,” said BYU head of way and section Ed Eyestone successful a connection from nan university. “Scott had 1 of nan astir affirmative attitudes and beardown activity morals that we person seen successful nan BYU way and section program.

“His teammates were made amended by his example, and he became 1 of our champion 400-meter hurdlers successful schoolhouse history. But moreover much inspiring than his diversion skills, his existent spot was his characteristic and expertise to lead and animate successful his unassuming, humble way. We will miss you, Scott.”

Mecham, who competed 30 times for nan Cougars and graduated arsenic 1 of nan program’s apical sprinters all-time pinch nan No. 6 people successful nan 400-meter outdoor hurdles, is survived by his woman Cierra — a erstwhile region runner astatine Utah State and all-time schoolhouse grounds holder successful nan indoor 3,000 meters and region medley relay — and 2 daughters, Jayden and Parker.

Cougar Nation mourns nan nonaccomplishment of way and section alumni, Scott Mecham.

Our thoughts and prayers spell retired to nan Mecham family. pic.twitter.com/8Gh7zfV7bI

— BYU Track & Field/Cross Country (@BYUTFXC) September 27, 2024

His ceremonial will beryllium held successful Soda Springs, Idaho, his wife’s hometown adjacent wherever he grew up successful Rigby, according to nan family.

“Scott was a awesome athlete, and an moreover much unthinkable person,” said Kyle Grossarth, who was Mecham’s sprints coach during his BYU career. “He was a fierce competitor who ever near everything retired connected nan track. Through each of his difficult work, he was capable to go 1 of BYU’s each clip Top-10 400 hurdlers erstwhile he conscionable missed breaking nan 50-second barrier, moving 50.15.

“Scott was an ambassador for BYU and a existent disciple of Jesus Christ. He was a man who lived nan gospel, ever stood up for what was right, was a awesome teammate and an astonishing example. He genuinely embodied what being a BYU student-athlete is each about.”

A GoFundMe has been group up to use nan family and thief screen ceremonial costs. The relationship has already raised complete $30,000 arsenic of Friday afternoon.