State continuing to investigate unexpected death of Cornell College wrestler

MOUNT VERNON — Iowa’s State Medical Examiner and local police are continuing to investigate the unexpected death of Cornell College wrestler Jacob Redington in a dorm room last week.

A campus safety officer found Redington, 20, unconscious and not breathing in the room at 8:13 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18 and called emergency personnel to the Mount Vernon campus. The Lisbon-Mount Vernon Ambulance Service, Mount Vernon Fire Department, Mount Vernon-Lisbon Police Department, and Linn County Sheriff’s Rescue responded and determined Redington was deceased, according to a news release.

The cause of death was not immediately evident, and the state medical examiner’s preliminary report to local authorities indicated more investigation was needed, according to Mount Vernon Police Chief Jason Blinks.

Authorities have said there is no active threat to campus, and the main student body is away for winter break through Jan. 10.

Redington — from Freeport, Ill. — was an avid wrestler, competing all four years at Freeport High School, where he was a multi-time state qualifier and three-time qualifier for the U.S. Marine Corps Junior Nationals in Fargo, N.D. — the largest freestyle and Greco wrestling tournament for high school-aged athletes, according to his obituary.

He graduated high school in 2023 and was attending Cornell College, where he was on the wrestling roster and studying to become an elementary school teacher, according to the obit.

During high school, Redington was a student teacher at Blackhawk Elementary his junior and senior year, and his family reported he wanted to coach wrestling.

“To those who coached him, mentored him, competed with him or against him, please know your impact on his life was immeasurable,” according to the obituary. “Thank you for also sharing his Love of Wrestling.”

A social media post from an Illinois wrestling fan page shared the news “with heavy hearts.”

“Jacob touched the lives of so many with his presence,” the post said, “and his loss is deeply felt by all who knew and loved him.”

A visitation for Redington is planned for Tuesday, Dec. 30 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Walker Mortuary in Freeport. A funeral service will take place Dec. 31 at 11 a.m. at Park Hills Church, 2525 W. Stephenson St. in Freeport Ill., with a visitation beginning at 10 a.m.

A memorial fund has been established in his name, and condolences can be shared at www.walkermortuary.com.

“He will forever be one of my favorite young men,” one person wrote of Redington on social media.

Vanessa Miller covers higher education for The Gazette.

Comments: (319) 339-3158; vanessa.miller@thegazette.com