Wisconsin Badgers wrestler Eli Stickley dies in car crash

Jace Evans | USA TODAY

Wisconsin Badgers wrestler Eli Stickley died Thursday night in a car crash in Illinois. He was 21.

Stickley was driving a 2004 Nissan Frontier when it left the roadway on Interstate 74 at 8:19 p.m. local time, running into the right ditch before overcorrecting and rolling, per Illinois State Police via the Wisconsin State Journal.

Stickley and a passenger — who was not identified and whose status is unknown — were taken to Illini Hospital, per the Rock Island Dispatch-Argus. Stickley was pronounced dead there.

Stickley was a starter for the Badgers this past season in the 141-pound weight class and qualified for the NCAA Championships. In 2016-17 he finished with a 20-19 overall record and in 2015-16's unattached campaign he went 20-9.

Our hearts are heavy today. The entire Badger wrestling family extends its most heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Eli Stickley, our brother and teammate, who passed away last night. Our thoughts and prayers are with Eli’s family and friends. pic.twitter.com/fu365srutx — Wisconsin Wrestling (@BadgerWrestling) July 6, 2018

Stickley arrived at Wisconsin via his native Ohio, where he won a Division II high school championship in 2014.

Stickley's uncle, Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio, won two national championships at Wisconsin and was a three-time All-American — and remains the school's all-time wins leader. Jordan's son, Isaac, wrapped up his own All-American career in 2017 wrestling alongside cousin Stickley.