Kenyon-Wanamingo student dies in crash

Authorities are still investigating a crash that killed one man and injured three others early Saturday morning near Kenyon.

Jacob Baalson, 19, a former wrestler for Kenyon-Wanamingo, was killed when the Ford Windstar he was traveling in left the road and rolled over. The crash happened on County Road 30 near 50th Avenue in Goodhue County and was reported at 2:15 a.m. Saturday.

"It's a difficult time to lose anyone from our school community," officials said in a statement signed by the superintendent, Principal Patrick Walsh and Matt Ryan, head wrestling coach for K-W.

Preliminary information indicates speed and alcohol might have been factors in the crash, according to the Goodhue County Sheriff's Office. It was also foggy at the time, Chief Deputy Lyle Lorenson said.

The three people injured in the rollover were Nicole Groth, 17, of Zumbrota, Luke Trevis, 18, of Nerstrand, and another former wrestler Chad Lexvold, 19, of Kenyon. All three were taken to St. Marys Hospital in Rochester.

Both Baalson and Lexvold were partly ejected from the vehicle. It appears that Baalson and Groth were wearing seat belts, Lorenson said. It is still unclear whether the other two people were wearing seat belts.

Authorities still need to speak with everyone involved before they can verify who was driving and other additional details, Lorenson said.

Baalson and Lexvold both participated in two state tournament teams, including the 2009 team that finished second. Lexvold placed individually in the state tournament twice.

"At this time we are grieving with the Baalson family and trying to provide emotional support for Chad and his family as he fights through his injuries," the statement said. "In turn, we are also hoping for the health of the other individuals involved, as well as their families."

A wake for Baalson was held Tuesday evening and a funeral is scheduled for today at Grace Lutheran Church in Nerstrand.

"We will definitely miss his energy and his smile," Walsh said of Baalson in the statement. Baalson was set to graduate from K-W soon.

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