A promising young track and field athlete, Natalie Black, has tragically passed away at just 19 years old. The Belhaven University sophomore, known for her determination and infectious spirit, was found unresponsive on March 1 after falling asleep on her family’s couch following a day of triumph on the track.

Natalie had just set a new personal record in the triple jump at Belhaven’s first outdoor meet of the season in Clinton, Mississippi. With an impressive leap of 11.01 meters, she secured second place in the event, marking a major milestone in her athletic journey.

“She about knocked me over celebrating,” recalled her graduate assistant coach, Tytavia Hardy, at a candlelit vigil held in her honor, explaining that the athlete had made it into the ’11-meter club’, WLBT reported.

Head coach Butch Ard fondly remembered Natalie’s excitement after her jump. “She walked over and said, ‘I know you saw that, Coach.’ I told her, ‘I absolutely did.’”

Natalie’s father, Toiwarn Black, shared how determined she had been to make him proud. “And she did. She absolutely accomplished that goal.”

Later that evening, still filled with joy from her accomplishment, Natalie returned to her family’s home in Terry, Mississippi. She lay down for a nap on the couch—one from which she would never wake up.