Incoming freshman Allison Brown collapsed after running the 5k cross country course at Southern Guilford High School in North Carolina on Thursday morning.
She was entering C.K. Siler Stadium on campus around 9:15 a.m. at the end of the 3.1 mile course route when she collapsed, according to Principal Debbie Kraszeski. A teammate saw her fall and called for help. The EMTs and school athletics trainer immediately administered CPR while awaiting paramedics, who rushed Brown to Moses Cone Hospital. She could not be resuscitated and passed away at the hospital.
Authorities are not sure what caused the death of the seemingly healthy 14-year-old, who had undergone a sports physical before she was allowed to attend the pre-season practice. Weather conditions at the time of practice were slightly overcast at about 75 degrees and 88 percent humidity.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Brown family, our students, and staff.
— Southern Guilford (@SGHSStorm) August 7, 2015“We are deeply saddened by the loss of this wonderful young woman,” Kraszeski said at a news conference Thursday afternoon. “Anytime anything happens with your students, it’s tough.
Brown competed in track and field for Southern Guilford Middle School. Athletics runs in her family. She is the daughter of Benjie Brown, a state championship-winning football coach at Thomasville High School and current principle of West Montgomery High School in Mount Gilead. Brown succeeded his father, Allen Brown, who also ran a state-tile winning football program at Thomasville. The grandfather is the associate head football coach at Winston-Salem State.
Brown's death was the second tragedy in 24 hours for the Guilford County running community. Phil Legnetti, the Page High School cross country and track and field coach, passed away on Wednesday from cancer.