Grinnell College is mourning the loss of one of its track and field athletes. Pole vauler Robert Yin has died from injuries he suffered over the weekend at the Midwest Conference track meet at Illinois College in Jacksonville, Illinois.
Yin, a second year music major from Rockville, Maryland, fell during a pole vault Friday and suffered serious injuries. He died in the hospital at Springfield, Illinois. The family has requested that no more information be released.
Grinnell athletic director Greg Wallace said the “Our entire athletic community has lost a gifted student athlete, a valued teammate, and more importantly a friend, with the passing of Robert Yin.”
The school is offering counseling to students who are dealing wtih Yin’s death. University officials say with the close of the academic year, it is likely that a campus memorial service will be held next fall when students return to campus.
By John Martenson, KGRN Grinnell