Community mourns death of C-H grad, Waynesburg U. wrestler
Jessie Orbin, a standout wrestler at Waynesburg University and a PIAA Class AA state qualifier at Chartiers-Houston, died following a motorcycle accident Saturday night in North Strabane Township.
Orbin, 20, was driving a motorcycle on Linden Road when he crashed at about 10:30 p.m.
He was flown by medical helicopter to a Pittsburgh hospital, where he later died.
鈥淗e was a proud Buccaneer. He was super kind and compassionate, and he was nice to everybody,鈥� said Houston Borough Mayor Nicholle Hollenbach, whose children played sports with Orbin. 鈥淗e had a lot of heart, and it led him to a lot of success as a Buccaneer and at Waynesburg.鈥�
In a statement released Monday, Waynesburg University said, 鈥淥ur Waynesburg University community is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of one of our student athletes. Jesse Orbin will be greatly missed. We are sending prayers for God to lift up and comfort his family at this difficult time.鈥�
Orbin, a Waynesburg University junior, carved out a successful high school career at Chartiers-Houston High School, adding to the school鈥檚 storied wrestling history before heading to Waynesburg University, where he won back-to-back 174-pound titles at the Presidents鈥� Athletic Conference Championships.
鈥淗e was one of the first students I had in my math class and I had the privilege of coaching him,鈥� said Chartiers-Houston wrestling coach and math teacher Patrick Jennings. 鈥淗e was a great kid; he was always trying to be the best person he could. He鈥檚 the type of person who you wanted on your team. He shed a positive light on the program, on his teammates and his classmates. He had a great career at (Chartiers-Houston) and was having a great career at Waynesburg. I was proud of him and everything he accomplished.鈥�
Members of the Meadows Standardbred Owners Association, where Orbin鈥檚 father, Jessie Orbin Sr., is a trainer, started a GoFundMe page for the family.
鈥淛essie was only 20 years old, but the impact he made on those around him was extraordinary. He grew up in the harness racing community at The Meadows, where his father, Jessie Orbin Sr., has been a trainer for many years,鈥� wrote Niki Presto, who launched the GoFundMe page. 鈥淔ollowing in the footsteps of the sport he loved, Jessie worked as a groom for the Sarah Andrews Stable. His passion for the horses in his care was evident to everyone who knew him. In particular, his beloved Fancy Like Lou shared a special bond with him and will deeply miss the care and affection he gave every day.鈥�
His mother, Brianna, died in 2017 at the age of 37 after a short bout with cancer.
North Strabane Township police said the accident is still under investigation.
Orbin is the second member of the Chartiers-Houston Class of 2023 to die in the past month. Philip Fry, 21, of Meadow Lands, died after he was struck by a vehicle while walking on Pike Street in Chartiers Township on May 23.
Former Chartiers-Houston assistant wrestling coach Ryan Dodd called Orbin 鈥渁 really good person to be around.鈥�
鈥淗e gave it everything he had in the wrestling room. He was a really good kid and a really good person,鈥� said Dodd. 鈥淲hen my kid was 5 days old, we went to watch Jessie wrestle. We rooted for him. He watched my kid growing up and he talked about coming back and helping the wresting team after he graduated.鈥�
The GoFundMe page cited Orbin鈥檚 wrestling achievements, but noted, 鈥渨hile these achievements were impressive, those who knew Jessie will remember him most for his character, his loyalty, his work ethic, and the love he showed to his family, friends, teammates, coworkers, and animals.鈥�
To donate to Jessie Orbin鈥檚 GoFundMe page, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-for-jessie-orbin-jrs-family.