Even Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon offered condolences, saying, “To lose lives so young, so full of energy and promise, is a tragedy beyond words.”
Remembering the Lives Behind the Lanes
Each of the young athletes brought something special to the Wyoming program.
- Carson Muir, a freshman from Alabama, was known for her positivity and determination. Her teammates said she had “a smile that made 5 a.m. practices worth it.”
- Charlie Clark, a sophomore diver from Nevada, was calm, focused, and kind — the steady hand who always looked out for others.
- Luke Slabber, a junior from Cape Town, South Africa, was the team’s heart — a natural leader whose humor kept spirits high, even on the hardest training days.
“They weren’t just teammates,” one swimmer said during the campus vigil. “They were family.”
The Night That Changed Everything
Officials from the Wyoming Highway Patrol continue to investigate the cause of the crash. While no factors have been ruled out, early reports suggest the vehicle lost control on a dangerous stretch of rural highway known for narrow lanes and poor visibility.
Though the athletes were not traveling for a university-sponsored event, the tragedy has reignited calls for improved safety measures along Highway 287 — a route often used by students commuting between Laramie and Fort Collins.
A Community United in Grief
Within hours of the news, tributes began pouring in from across the nation. Collegiate swim teams, rival schools, and Olympic athletes — including Katie Ledecky — expressed condolences using the hashtag #SwimForWyoming.
A memorial service drew hundreds of students, faculty, and alumni to the university pool. Candles were placed along the water’s edge, their flickering reflections dancing across the still surface as teammates shared memories through tears.
Head coach Dave Denniston struggled to hold back emotion. “We train to push limits,” he said quietly. “But nothing prepares you for a loss like this. They were extraordinary — in and out of the pool.”
Strength Through Sorrow
In the wake of the tragedy, the university’s swim and dive community has rallied around the victims’ families. A GoFundMe created by teammates to support funeral expenses and family travel surpassed its goal in less than 24 hours.
President Seidel announced that the team’s next home meet will be dedicated to the three athletes, with a moment of silence and their names displayed across the scoreboard.
As flowers, swim caps, and handwritten notes continue to line the entrance of the Corbett Pool Complex, one message has touched everyone who’s seen it — written on a rain-streaked card taped to the glass:
“In the water, we are weightless. Now you are, too.”
The University of Wyoming will never forget Carson, Charlie, and Luke. Their light, laughter, and drive will continue to ripple through the halls, classrooms, and lanes they once filled with energy and hope.
Their races may be over, but their spirit will forever flow through Wyoming’s waters.
How do you think universities can better support student-athletes in times of tragedy? Share your thoughts and tributes in the comments — your words might bring comfort to someone who needs it today.