It is with heavy hearts we announce that Samantha Davis, a senior cross country runner, has passed away at the age of 17 after collapsing in a race on Saturday, September 22nd in Charlotte at McAlpine Park. Davis collapsed near the 4K mark of the 5K "Hares and Hounds Invitational" race, and despite on-site medical care efforts and that of doctors at a nearby Charlotte hospital, she was not able to be revived.

Samantha was a member of the Union Pines marching band in addition to participating in cross country, indoor and outdoor track, as well as on the softball team earlier in her high school career. She was one month shy of her 18th birthday, and has been taken from us too soon.

"Any loss of life is tragic," said Commissioner Que Tucker. "But for such young and vibrant life to be ripped from a family, friends and high school community so suddenly is truly devastating. Though we at the NCHSAA did not know Samantha personally, our hearts grieve with the family, her teammates, coaches and the entire Union Pines High School community."

Please keep her family, her teammates, classmates, coaches and teachers in your prayers as they cope with a tremendous loss. A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held in Davis' honor on Saturday, September 29th, at 10:00 a.m. at the Union Pines Football Stadium.