A Twenty-year-old Rio Hondo College wrestling team captain who was rated fifth-best in the state died Saturday at a wrestling tournament at Mount San Antonio College.

Rio Hondo’s Jesse Cruz and Cody Bolliwger from Cerritos were wrestling when in the third round, Cruz was pinned down and he did not get up.

Soon after, he was unable to respond and he was treated and given CPR by Mt. Sac’s Athletic Trainer and paramedics.

Los Angeles Sheriff was notified about the incident at 11:33 a.m., he was transported by paramedics to San Dimas Community Hospital, where he was officially pronounced dead at 12:20 p.m.

Rick Silva, a close friend of Cruz, said, “We love Jesse more than words can say. Jesse Cruz was, and will always be a special person in the lives of all he touched.”

Soon after Cruz’s death, the Cruz family said in a statement, “Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Jesse is an amazing young man that will be greatly missed by his family and friends.”

Rio Hondo College President Ted Martinez Jr. said in a written statement, “Cruz was in his second year with the wrestling team.”

School officials stated, “Jesse was the epitome of the ideal student-athlete, but in addition being an excellent student who maintained a high GPA, he was the All-American captain of the Rio Hondo College wrestling team and a superb leader. Even though the reason of his death is unknown, the coroner that examined Jesse’s body said in a statement they should have the result of his death this week.”