FAYETTEVILLE — The Washington County Sheriff’s Office identified the victim of a drowning Saturday at Lake Wedington as 43-year-old David Finley, a sergeant with the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
Washington and Benton counties’ dive teams recovered Finley’s body about 8:30 p.m. Saturday, according to a news release. Finley was training Saturday afternoon for the Ozark Valley Triathlon, which was to be held Sunday morning at Lake Wedington. Witnesses said Finley appeared to struggle before he went under water. He did not resurface.
Roger Morris, Washington County coroner, said Sunday that Finley’s body was being sent to the Arkansas State Crime Lab to determine his cause of death.
The triathlon, which included a 1,000-yard swim, 19-mile bike and 4-mile run, was canceled, according to a post on the race’s website.
“The race has been canceled by the U.S. Forest Service due to a drowning at Lake Wedington,” the post stated. “Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected. Participants will be contacted soon concerning entry fee reimbursement or transfer.”
Bruce Dunn, race organizer with All Sports Productions, said Sunday about 270 people had registered for the event. He declined to comment further.
Multiple racers asked on the triathlon’s Facebook page that their fee reimbursement be sent to Finley’s family.