Former Mules wrestler killed in Army training exercise

Brandon Patterson, a Central Missouri State Mules wrestler from 1994-97, and paratrooper with the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division, was killed last Thursday, August 27, when a military truck hin which he was being transported rolled at Fort Bragg, N.C. Patterson was taking part in a training exercise at the time. He was 28.

Patterson had survived a tour of Army combat duty in Iraq, but died when he was pinned by the truck. He was being transported in a light-medium tactical vehicle assigned to the division's 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, a base spokesman said.

Twenty-five other paratroopers were hurt in the single-vehicle accident, two of whom had to be evacuated by helicopter for treatment. Patterson, a 1994 graduate of Urbandale (Iowa) High School, was the son of Ken and Marge Patterson. After becoming Urbandale's first 100-match winner when he won a Class 3A district championship at 140 pounds and qualified for the state wrestling tournament, Patterson enrolled at Central Missouri State.

For the Mules, he posted a record of 19-29 in three seasons on the Mules varsity. He began his career for former head coach Mike Knight, and then wrestled his final two season for current Mules' mentor Robin Ersland.

"Brandon was a very good person," Ersland said. "I was excited to see him succeeding in life. It's very disheartening to lose someone that young."