SAN ANTONIO — Smithson Valley High School wrestling coach Tim Clarkson died suddenly last Wednesday. His students are mourning the loss of someone they say they viewed as an inspiration.
Clarkson devoted 30 years of his life to being a wrestling coach. His students described him as being passionate and caring. Students gathered on Sunday at Bulverde Community Park to share what they will miss most about their coach.
He was viewed by many as being more than a high school coach. Hudson Chilton is a member of the school's wrestling team.
“This would have been my third year with him but it already felt like he wasn’t necessarily my coach, but like a fatherly figure," Chilton said.
Alexis Avalos is on the varsity wrestling team. She says her coach was a straight-shooter.
“If we won or lost, he would always tell us, ‘you could always do better,’" Avalos said. "So he would always drive us to push ourselves and our teammates to our very best.”
Bryce Palmer recalls the last day Clarkson was alive.
“I had the Comal convocation," Palmer said. “I was speaking on the stage, and as soon as I got off, he had the biggest smile on his face, and I gave him this fist bump. And that was something that was really nice for me.”
Student athlete, Colton Pauley, says it will be difficult going into his final year without the coach by his side.
“My mind hasn’t been clear throughout this entire thing," Pauley said. "I’ve been trying to put my heart into everything that we’ve been doing so far. And it’s been really hard to. The passing of coach Clarkson it’s onto the seniors and juniors those that were close to coach Clarkson to bring everybody up, to keep them up to where we are, and keep on pushing.”
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