TOD SURMON, 26, STANFORD ALL-AMERICAN AND FREESTYLE STAR, DIED FROM ACCIDENT AT LAS VEGAS NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATION 
 Tod Surmon of Menlo Park, Calif., 26, an All-American wrestler from Stanford University and a talented freestyle wrestler, died from an accident during the New Year's Eve celebration in Las Vegas, Nev., Jan. 1. 
 Surmon climbed a light tower near the Paris Hotel, and fell to his death. According to the Clark County Coroner, Surmon died from a combination of electrocution from the light pole and trauma from the 30-foot fall. 
 On January 30, Surmon had won a gold medal at the prestigious Midlands Championships, held in Evanston, Ill.,  at 165 pounds. The Midlands is considered the best holiday wrestling tournament in the nation, and annually features many of the nation's best wrestlers. 
 "Winning the Midlands was a large coup," said Stanford Head Coach Chris Horpel. "It was just a really exciting moment for Tod to win that tournament and it was a good stepping-stone to the Olympic Trials." 
 Surmon, a member of the Dave Schultz Wrestling Club, was training for the opportunity to try out for the 2000 U.S. Olympic team in freestyle wrestling. He had placed third in the prestigious 1999 ASU/Sunkist Kids International Open in Phoenix, Ariz. in October. He held a No. 7 national ranking at 152 pounds in the December 1999 USA Wrestling Senior Freestyle Rankings. 
 Surmon served as a volunteer assistant wrestling coach at his alma mater, Stanford Univ., working under head coach Chris Horpel. He was an All-American wrestler at Stanford, placing seventh at the 1996 NCAA Championships, and was also the 1996 Pac-10 champion. His 23 consecutive victories that season remains the Stanford school record. 
 Upon graduation, Surmon worked as a computer systems engineer at Aeris Communications in San Jose, a start-up wireless communications company. 
 "I think his real goal was to become financially independent through the success of his start-up company and become a full-time wrestler," said Horpel. "Then, with the ability to train full-time, he could try to make World Championships and Olympic teams in the next four years. What was amazing is he was able to be this successful while working full-time in Silicon Valley for a start-up company as a computer systems engineer. Whatever it was, and no matter how difficult it was, Tod enjoyed it. He had an irrepressible spirit." 
 "Obviously, this is a terrible tragedy for Stanford University and the wrestling community," said Stanford Athletic Director Ted Leland. "Our hearts go out to Tod's family and friends, coach Chris Horpel and everyone associated with our wrestling program." 
 He is originally from Albany, Ore., where he was a 1990 Oregon state high school wrestling champion for West Albany High School. Surmon was active in USA Wrestling's age-group programs, earning all-American honors on the Junior, Espoir and University levels. 
 Surmon is survived by his parents, Dave and Linda Surmon, of Albany, Ore., and two sisters. Plans have not been finalized, but a memorial service will be held later this week in Albany, Ore. The Stanford Athletic Department is also in contact with the Surmon family about a memorial service in the Bay Area. Information will be publicized when it becomes available. 
 --- From Stanford University Media Relations, Las Vegas Sun, San Jose Mercury News, and various other sources.