It is a tragic loss whenever someone passes away. When it is someone young, it leaves us as a community wondering, "What if?" I normally would not inject myself into a story, but a personal connection to a loss such as this compelled me to write something.
In the last week, the Ohio Track and Cross Country community was struck by two such instances. In Springfield Township, a suburb of Cincinnati, former Mount Healthy and Akron track star Vince Turnage was shot and killed near his home during a home invasion. As a coach in the Cincinnati area, I coach a team that competed with Vince's on a regular basis. During his tenure at Mount Healthy, we competed at their home invitational as well as other meets around the city where he was present. All of our sprinters knew exactly who he was, which was a testament not only to him as a person but to his skill as a runner. I remember him as a good kid who wanted to succeed. He was polite and well-spoken and I remember him as someone who I thought could do well in the future. I learned of his passing through a text from a former athlete of mine. It was something I didn't want to believe had happened, especially to someone as nice as Vince. It seems the case is one of wrong place, wrong time. It is incredibly unfair that he was unable to realize his potential as an adult. I know there are many who will miss him, not only in his community, but in our running community as a whole.
In the Columbus suburb of Gahanna, sophomore Kelsey Thompson died of an apparent suicide. She had been a member of this year's Lincoln High School cross country team, which competed and placed 7th at the state championships just two weeks prior. By all accounts she was a sweet and caring girl, as well as being a talented runner. She would have been 16 this week. I won't speculate as to what was the cause of her choice, but it is extremely sad that she is gone. To her parents, teammates, coaches and community, I am incredibly sorry for your loss. I don't want to intrude and ask questions out of respect both for you and for Kelsey. I just wanted you to know that we as an entire running community will remember her for who she was and how she competed.
Both of these deaths are tragic and both of them were taken too soon from their loved ones. We as a community mourn their loss and wish the families peace and comfort going forward.