Hickman was returning from the CIF (California Interscholastic Federation) State Wrestling Championships in Bakersfield when he was involved in a one-car crash while driving south on I-5 near Pyramid Lake at approximately 5 a.m. Sunday. California Highway Patrol officers believe Hickman got out of his car and ran across the northbound lanes of the freeway when he was struck by another vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Matt Hickman was a Junior National freestyle finalist in Fargo (Photo/John Sachs, Tech-Fall.com)Hickman continued his wrestling career in college, first at Fresno City College, then at California Baptist University in Riverside.
"He was a real special kid," Fresno City wrestling coach Paul Keysaw told the Fresno Bee newspaper. "He affected everyone's lives that he came in touch with.
"I look at social media and see all the people talk about Matty and they all say the same things, saying he has a huge heart and loved everybody. He was one tough sucker and he just worked hard and persevered. Had a bright future in front of him."
After graduating from Fresno City, Hickman headed south to Cal Baptist, where he compiled a 22-3 record at 149 pounds during the 2014-15 season before being sidelined by a neck injury as a senior.
Hickman's bond with Camarillo High continued even after college, as he returned to his high school alma mater to help as a coach alongside his father Matt Sr., an assistant coach.
"Our hearts are broken for the Hickman family," Camarillo head wrestling coach Ron Wilson told the Ventura County Star. "Matt was a wonderful young man. He was a tremendous competitor and a hard worker on the mat and was a prankster off the mat who loved to have fun. He had an infectious smile. Everywhere he went people wanted to talk with him. He was someone that others wanted to be around[MP1] ."
Richard Carrillo, the longtime Royal head wrestling coach, said Hickman was generous with other wrestlers, sharing his insights and his knowledge because he loved seeing other wrestlers succeed.
"More than once I asked Matty to help my sons when I saw him at a tournament. He never said no," Carrillo said. "I often told my wrestlers to watch him as an example of what I thought our wrestlers should be."
Matt Hickman, Jr. is survived by his father Matt, Sr., his mother Louisa, and two sisters.
A Go Fund Me Page has been established to help the Hickman family with funeral and other expenses. As of Tuesday night the fund had raised approximately $25,000.
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