MSU Signee Riley Klingel Dies In Auto Accident
4/25/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Cross Country
April 25, 2005
FREMONT, Mich. - Riley Owen Klingel, 18, who signed a National Letter of Intent April 14 to compete for the Michigan State men's track and cross country programs, passed away on Friday, April 22, 2005, as the result of an automobile accident. Klingel, who was born October 22, 1986, in Fremont to Don and Lisa (Hanson) Klingel, is survived by his parents; one brother: Adam Klingel of Fremont; grandparents: Bob (Gladys Bayne) Klingel of Fremont, Allison Klingel of Muskegon, Carl and Carol Hanson of Fremont; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.
Klingel was named Mr. Michigan Cross Country last fall by the Michigan Interscholastic Track Coaches Association. The Fremont senior had won a Division 2 state individual cross country title as a sophomore, and finished second in the same meet last fall. This spring, he had been running track at Fremont and on April 16 had won the two-mile event at the Mansfield Invitational Relays in Ohio - a major Midwest prep event in track and field.
"Our condolences go out to his family," said MSU men's cross country coach Walt Drenth. "It's a terrible loss. It's been difficult for our group as well, as the young men on our team had all gotten to know him and respected him and we're looking forward to being his teammate. He was part of our family and was a Spartan through and through.
"There were two things about Riley that struck me," added Drenth. "One was that he was very, very competitive. The opportunity to compete was something he really enjoyed. The other was his pursuit of excellence. He did not understand it if someone was not trying to be his best. It was inconceivable to him that you could have a gift and not try to nurture it."
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, April 26, 2005, at Fremont Wesleyan Church (918 Garden Ave.). Visitation will also be at the church from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Monday. Interment will be in Maple Grove Cemetery.
The suggested memorial is the Fremont Area Community Foundation for the Dale Wheater Cross Country Fund for Fremont High School.
