Highlands Ranch sophomore dies after collapsing during run
By Daniel Petty
The Denver Post
Posted: 10/01/2009 12:31:03 PM MDT
Updated: 10/01/2009 01:58:22 PM MDT
A student-athlete at Highlands Ranch High School collapsed and died yesterday afternoon during a school-sponsored cross country run on the Highline Canal, the school principal said in a letter to parents today.
After collapsing, sophomore Quinton Sanford was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance after someone called 911 and CPR was administered, the letter said. Sanford, whose father was present during the run, died en route to the hospital.
A cause of death was not immediately known; the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office has scheduled an autopsy this afternoon.
Sanford had competed as a member of the school's cross country team as recently as Sept. 4 at the Arapahoe Warrior Cross Country Invitational, according to race results.
School officials are offering students the opportunity to talk to teachers, mental health staff, administrators and a Douglas County School District crisis team.
"Feelings can be especially overwhelming at this time," Principal Jerry Goings wrote in the letter to parents. "There is no right way to express the sadness, grief and confusion that our students can feel when they encounter tragedy."
Sanford's siblings attend Cresthill Middle School and Eagle Ridge Elementary.
Daniel Petty: 303-954-1081 or