Former 'Bachelorette' Contestant, Batavia Wrestling Star Dies

BATAVIA, IL — Clint Arlis, a Batavia native and former contestant on ABC's popular "Bachelorette" series, has died, his former high school wrestling coach announced on Twitter Wednesday.

"It is with a heavy heart and a sense of profound loss that we announce the death of one of the Batavia Wrestling Program's All-Time greats, 2005 graduate, Clint Arlis," Scott Bayer tweeted.

Batavia officers were dispatched to a private residence on Papermill Hill Drive around 12:18 p.m. Tuesday where they confirmed Arlis died. Police said Friday Arlis's death is under investigation, though no foul play is suspected.

Arlis, a 34-year-old architectural engineer, graduated from Batavia High School in 2005. He went on to study at the University of Illinois, where during his senior year, he held a 14-7 record and placed 7th in the Big-Ten Wrestling Tournament, Bayer wrote in a 10-tweet thread.

Arlis was also a workout partner of Head Wrestling Coach Michael Poeta, according to Bayer. The university's coach is also a two-time Big-Ten champion and three-time All-American.

"While pursuing his career in architecture, he's always made a priority of coming back to our (his) wrestling room and generously giving back to our kids," he wrote, calling Arlis a "talented artist with a sharp wit, a sardonic sense of humor and palpable authenticity."

Aside from being a Batavia wrestling star, others will recognize Arlis as one of the contestants from "The Bachelorette." The architect appeared during Season 11, which aired in 2015. During the season, he was one of the men vying for the love of 29-year-old dance instructor Kaitlyn Bristowe, until he was eliminated in week 3.

Bayer said Arlis will be remembered as a "fierce competitor, tireless worker, a caring influence to younger Batavia wrestlers, a devoted friend and a loving son and brother will resonate far beyond his days in our presence."