Valhalla High Wrestler Killed in One-Car Crash

Marcus Beeson, a standout wrestler for Valhalla High, was killed in a car accident Thursday morning in Rancho San Diego.

Beeson, 16, was thrown from the front passenger seat of a Nissan Sentra as it went out of control and rolled several times in the 2300 block of Willow Glen Drive, CHP Officer Tom Christian said. Beeson, who was not wearing a seat belt, was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the car, a 16-year-old El Cajon girl who was not identified because of her age, was taken to Sharp Memorial Hospital and treated for back injuries, a hospital spokeswoman said. She was listed in fair condition Thursday night.

Glen Takahashi, Valhalla wrestling coach, said classes at the school were dismissed early Thursday.

“Our whole school really couldn’t handle what happened,” Takahashi said. “It was mass hysteria at school today.”

As a sophomore, Beeson was 44-4 and was the 165-pound Masters champion. An injury prevented Beeson from competing in the state meet. His junior season was cut short because of an appendectomy and he finished with an 8-1 record.

“Our program has had some outstanding athletes, but Mark was probably as talented as I’ve had,” Takahashi said. “He had international-caliber potential. He had a chance to wrestle in the Pan Am Games or maybe the Olympics.”

Takahashi said Beeson planned to wrestle at 175 pounds this season.

“He was such a physical specimen,” Takahashi said. “The kids thought he was indestructible.”

Takahashi said the school plans to conduct a service for Beeson next week at Valhalla.