Sam Musgrave, a cross-country and track distance runner at the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas, has died following a vehicle accident.
He was a 2025 graduate of Sanger High School in Sanger, Texas, and had joined the UIW Cardinals as a freshman under head coach Derek Riedel. He was 19 years old.
Sanger ISD confirmed on Friday that a 2025 graduate of Sanger High School died at the scene of a vehicle accident that took place Thursday night, and that two additional Sanger High School students were transported to the hospital for medical care.
The district did not identify the deceased by name, but an outpouring of tributes on social media and a public statement from the UIW track and field program confirmed the loss was Sam Musgrave.
“This heartbreaking tragedy has impacted our entire school community, and our thoughts and prayers are with the students, their families, friends, classmates, and everyone affected,” the district said.
Counselors were made available throughout the weekend and into the following week for any student or staff member needing support.
Musgrave was listed on the UIW men’s track and field roster as a freshman from Sanger, Texas. His VDOT running performance score stood at 70.3, placing him among competitive collegiate distance runners. He had completed six races during his brief college career and was regarded by those around him as a dedicated and spirited competitor.
The UIW track and cross-country program shared a tribute on Instagram that captured the deep grief felt across the team. The post described Sam as someone who made a remarkable difference, loved deeply, and whose smile lit up every room he entered. The program extended its thoughts and prayers to his friends and family.
The response from teammates, coaches, and friends was immediate and heartfelt. Former coach John Singler wrote that coaching Sam had been a true joy and that he would be deeply missed.
Teammate Ethan Malesich offered the words, “We’ll see each other again brother.” Another person who knew him well, Michael Mann, described Sam as absolutely one of the best humans he had ever known, saying he loved God, loved his country, and loved people, leaving behind what Mann called a huge legacy.
Others simply could not find the words, leaving behind prayer emojis and short tributes that spoke volumes in their brevity. One commenter wrote that Sam had left a positive impact on many lives and that his memory would carry forward through everyone he touched.
On his own Instagram, Musgrave had posted just months earlier from a beach trip in Florida, expressing his faith and his joy for life in a caption that now reads as a final reflection of who he was as a person.
The Sanger Police Department has been contacted for further details. No official cause of the accident has been released, and an investigation remains ongoing. Sam Musgrave was 19 years old.
