A long-distance runner competing for a Texas college collapsed during a meet in New Orleans before passing away at a local hospital Friday, according to his school.
Graycen Vargo, a 21-year-old junior at Texas A&M University-Texarkana, was running in the Red River Athletic Conference Track and Field Championships hosted by Xavier University when he suffered a medical emergency and collapsed.
Vargo was given immediate medical attention and rushed to a hospital, where he later died, according to the school statement.
Details of Vargo’s medical emergency and death have not been revealed.
‘Our thoughts are with Graycen’s family, teammates, and friends as they deal with this unimaginable loss,’ A&M-Texarkana president Dr. Ross Alexander said in a statement. ‘Graycen was a respected member of the student body and a beloved member of the Cross Country and Track and Field Teams. His presence will be greatly missed by the entire university community.’
The computer science major from Dallas, Texas was in his first year with the team after running for Jacksonville College as a freshman and sophomore.
Graycen Vargo, a 21-year-old junior at Texas A&M University-Texarkana, was running at a meet in New Orleans when he suffered a medical emergency and collapsed. He later died
Recently, Texas A&M-Texarkana honored Vargo with the Eagle Excellence Award for Cross Country during the University’s annual athletic awards ceremony. That honor is reserved for ‘student athletes who made a positive impact on campus, within their teams, and in the community while exemplifying strong character and academic excellence,’ according to the school statement.
‘On behalf of the Eagle athletic department, I want to convey our heartfelt sorrow at the loss of Graycen Vargo,’ A&M-Texarkana athletic director Ryan Wall added.
‘Our prayers are with the Vargo family and everyone who knew Graycen as they go through this difficult time.’
Vargo’s high school coach at Village Tech in Dallas has also reacted to the tragedy online.
Texas A&M-Texarkana honored Vargo with the Eagle Excellence Award for Cross Country during the University’s athletic awards ceremony. The award honors community service
‘I first met Graycen as an 8th grader when I was looking for athletes to run,’ coach Ben Nicholas wrote on Facebook. ‘What I found, though, was the most fiercely competitive, determined and loyal teammate.
‘He would challenge you and demand your best, while totally committing to winning together. I had the joy of working with him for [five] years, and the honor of watching him grow beyond high school and compete collegiately. Graycen became so interwoven in our lives, constantly checking in with those he cared about.
‘Of course, we still talked about running, but as Graycen grew up he took interest in the well-being of my daughter, his teammates, and the team he desperately wanted to give back to…
‘Graycen, you are a legend,’ Nicholas concluded. ‘I love you so much, I am so proud of you, and so grateful for you.’
