Died suddenly: Texas cross country runner Angel Hernandez, 16

by WorldTribune Staff / 247 Real News October 23, 2023

Texas high school athlete Angel Hernandez collapsed suddenly and died shortly after crossing the finish line in a cross country race on Oct. 13. He was 16.

Angel Hernandez

No cause of death has been reported.

Hernandez, a sophomore at Chisholm Trail High School in Fort Worth, had just achieved a personal best time during a 5K race at a district cross country meet when he collapsed suddenly, KHOU reported.

According to the Houston outlet, a group of friends helped Hernandez to a nearby water station and, after collapsing again, he was rushed to a nearby hospital. He died about an hour later.

Hernandez’s cause of death is under investigation by the Tarrant County Medical Examiner.

An athlete who was in top condition, Hernandez also studied at and competed with the Texas School of Karate.

A week after his sudden death, Hernandez was named Athlete of the Week at his high school, according to CTHS’s athletic department’s website.

Alongside the honor, Hernandez’s coach, Joseph Gifford, wrote of the teen: “He worked hard and was an amazing teammate. We lost Angel at the District XC Meet, and words cannot express our feelings for him and his family. Thank you, Angel, for all your hard work and determination. You will be extremely missed.”

A funeral was held for Hernandez on Oct. 20 and later in the evening CTHS held a moment of silence in his honor at its annual homecoming football game.


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