Ferndale — Autopsy results are pending for a Ferndale High School student who collapsed and died Thursday after track practice.
Mario Campbell, 16, was a junior and a hurdler on the school's track team. The team had been practicing indoors and Campbell collapsed in a hallway, district spokeswoman Stephanie Hall said.
Firefighters arrived at the school at 4:23 p.m. and Campbell was taken to William Beaumont Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, authorities say.
The autopsy was completed Friday at the medical examiner's office.
Students at the school were honoring Campbell Friday by signing their names on a memorial banner in the hallway. They plan to leave the banner up for a time and then present it to the family, said Hall.
Grief counselors and social workers with the district were brought to the school. A moment of silence was held during the first hour of classes.
"We appreciate the strong support we've already received from our school family to help each other and our student's family and friends through this sad time," Lisa Williams, principal of Ferndale High School, said in a statement. "Mario was a wonderful student, enthusiastic learner, team player and dedicated friend. He always had a smile on his face and a good word to share. We will cherish his memory forever."
Shaun Butler, the school's athletic director, said Campbell was a hard-working, dedicated athlete.
"He made dramatic improvements in his 400 time last year, and had set his goal to be the top hurdler this season," said Butler. "Mario was quiet, positive, well-liked and respected. We will really miss him."
This is the school district's second student death in less than a month. Samuel Lee, 17, a student at University High School, was killed Feb. 23 when he was accidentally shot by his older brother in their Highland Park home.
"Our community's thoughts and prayers for the Ferndale High School athlete who just passed away," Ferndale Mayor Dave Coulter said in a Facebook posting Friday morning.
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