Former Center Hill wrestler dead

Photo: Barrett Dempsey wrestling for Montevallo University. (Credit: Montevallo University Athletics)

The University of Montevallo (Alabama) wrestling program is reporting that one of its wrestlers, a former Center Hill wrestler who placed in last year’s state meet, has died.

Montevallo identified Barrett Dempsey as a freshman student-athlete on the Falcons’ inaugural college wrestling team. He came to the Alabama school from Center Hill, where he placed third in the Mississippi state high school meet in 2023.

The news release didn’t state how Dempsey died, but reports indicated Dempsey may have been involved in an accident during the weekend returning to Montevallo from his Byhalia-area home.

Dempsey wrestled in eight matches for the Falcons in 2023.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our wrestling student-athlete Barrett Dempsey,” said Montevallo Vice President for Athletics and Special Programs Mark Richard. “Barrett was a great young man and was well respected by his coaches, teammates, friends and family. We ask for everyone to keep the Dempsey family in your prayers.”

“Barrett was an amazing individual, added head coach Daniel Ownbey. “He was a cornerstone to our team, with an amazing personality and work ethic. “His competitive spirit, his achievements in the classroom, and the support he showed his teammates display what an outstanding student-athlete he was. He gave everything he had to this team and to his academics. He will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. As Barrett would say ‘falcons on me, falcons on three.'”

Montevallo’s dual meet against Huntingdon, for Tuesday, Feb. 13, at 7 p.m., has been canceled.