Student-athlete collapses, dies during half-marathon, college announces

GREENVILLE, Penn. (Gray News) – A college community in Pennsylvania is mourning the death of a student-athlete after her school said she died after collapsing during a half-marathon.

In a release, Thiel College said Toby Atwood was a rising senior, an accomplished member of the women’s tennis team and a campus leader.

Atwood was running in the Presque Isle Half Marathon in Erie, Pennsylvania, on Sunday when she collapsed, according to the college.

Thiel College said Atwood was a “standout in the classroom and on the court.”

She was a business administration and accounting double major as well as a recipient of one of the college’s full scholarship awards, maintaining a 4.0 GPA.

Atwood was also inducted into Alpha Chi, the National College Honor Society, which recognizes students in the top 5% of their class, according to the school. She was also inducted into Chi Eta Sigma, the honorary society for commerce, and served as president of the Zeta Tau Alpha women’s fraternity.

Atwood held the No. 1 singles position on the women’s tennis team and was a team co-captain.

“Her presence touched the lives of so many, and she will be deeply missed,” Vice President for Student Life and Athletics Michael McKinney said in a message to the campus community. “During this heartbreaking time, we mourn for Toby and extend our heartfelt sympathy to her family, friends, classmates, teammates, coach, instructors, and all who knew her.”

Atwood’s cause of death is not yet known.

The funeral service for Atwood will be held Saturday at Center Hill Covenant Brethren Church in Armstrong County, Pennsylvania.

Thiel College officials said counseling services are being made available to Thiel students and employees as they grieve her loss.

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