High school cross-country runner dies after collapsing in race

Last night, after hours of fighting, Samantha Davis, a cross country runner for Union Pines HS passed away

Yesterday she went into cardiac arrest near the 4k mark at a cross country meet in Charlotte, NC

She was a senior, about a month from her 18th birthday

Rest In Peace Sam pic.twitter.com/MD3jEWhjLC

— Cross Country Probs (@CrossProb) September 23, 2018

Samantha Davis, a high school senior, collapsed at the four kilometre mark of  Saturday’s Hare and Hounds Invitational cross-country meet in Charlotte, North Carolina before going into cardiac arrest. She passed away on Sunday.  

Ok Vikes… One of our own has passed. This is where we come together. Let Samantha's legacy of love live on in our school.
Would anyone like to have a memorial service at the school this week? Stand around the flag? If you have any ideas, tweet us. #SamanthaStrong

— Union Pines Interact (@uphsinteract) September 23, 2018

Davis, 17, attended Union Pines High School in Cameron, North Carolina. Davis’ mother, Rebecca Davis, told The Pilot, “Samantha had suffered a softball-related injury earlier that same year, which resulted in seizures and a diagnosis of epilepsy. However, more recently, the teen had been seizure-free.”

Rest in peace Samantha Davis. You will be greatly missed by everyone from Union Pines and the impact you’ve made will never be forgotten. ❤️ Take some time to pray for her family and friends to help them through this hard time. #samanthastrong pic.twitter.com/IP2QWUR7M5

— UPHS Spirit Club (@unionpinespirit) September 23, 2018

A GoFundMe account has been created to help the family with expenses. So far more than $13,500 USD has been raised for the Davis family. Davis ran track and field as well as cross-country. Many runners will run one kilometre today, the final kilometre of her race, in memory of Davis and in support of her family.