Athlete in critical condition

HERALD STAFF AND

WALLA WALLA -- DeSales senior Ryan Moberg, 18, remained in critical condition Tuesday night at St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla from severe head and neck injuries suffered while practicing the pole vault Monday afternoon.

Irish coach Mike Michels would not provide details of the accident, which occurred during an indoor practice around 12:30 p.m. Monday while the school is on spring break.

He did say the team would not compete this weekend at the Carnival of Speed in Milton-Freewater.

"Beyond that, we're not sure of anything right now," said Michels, who met with the team Tuesday. "We're just trying to get through this right now. We're hanging in there. At some point, we probably will (return to competition). But right now, I'm not sure when."

Dr. David Schmitz, the executive director of Walla Walla Catholic Schools, said Moberg is not expected to survive.

Moberg, a multisport athlete at DeSales, was a Class B state qualifier in pole vault in 2006.

Walla Walla Fire Department officials received the emergency call at 12:33 p.m. Monday. Few other details of the accident were available Tuesday morning. Schmitz said he hadn't yet seen any report explaining what went wrong.

"He's just a super kid," Schmitz said. "This is the worst situation imaginable."

Additional info: