A promising young track and field athlete has passed away suddenly after falling asleep on her couch after a competition.
Natalie Black, a sophomore and talented athlete at Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi, was discovered dead on March 1 following a successful track and field event earlier that same day.
The 19-year-old has been remembered as a ‘true champion’ and ‘inspiration’ in the sport. Friends, family, and fellow athletes have expressed their sorrow and shared touching tributes about her untimely death.
Natalie had an outstanding day in Clinton, where the college hosted its first outdoor meet of the season. The aspiring athlete broke her personal record in the triple jump, achieving a distance of 11.01 meters and securing second place.
“She about knocked me over celebrating,” said Natalie’s graduate assistant coach, Tytavia Hardy, to WLBT at a candlelit vigil held in her honor, as she celebrated her entry into the ’11 meter club.’
Head coach Butch Ard recalled: “She walked over like, ‘I know you saw that coach, I know you saw that’. I said, ‘I saw it’.”
Natalie’s father, Toiwarn Black, remarked: “She was like, ‘I’m gonna make you proud’. And she did that, she absolutely accomplished that goal.”
Sadly, following her victory, the teenager returned to her family’s home in Terry and took a nap on the couch, from which she never awoke.
Natalie’s heartbroken mother, Formeka Black, shared on Facebook that the family experienced an ‘amazing last day’ with her ‘from morning till night.’
She wrote: “She was so happy! that smile man! She made the best triple jump record she ever had, beat her personal record!
“And later into the night, still celebrating with family, she simply laid on the couch for a little nap and never woke up. I THANK GOD. There was no suffering. HE gave us that much Grace!”
“I’m trying to be strong for our Boys. Yet, they’re being strong for me,” she continued. “I’m so glad we have each other to lean on when the other can’t even stand. This reality has been a devastating blow to our family and we are taking things minute by minute.”
At the vigil, her classmates and friends described her as ‘sweet’, ‘kind’, and a ‘bubbly person’ who was a ‘true hard worker.’
Formeka, who also attended the event, shared about her daughter: “When she comes in the room, the energy shifts. She’s just so positive and loving.”
She added: “That baby lived her life big and happily and joyously.”
Toiwarn also commented on the heartfelt gathering, saying: “To be out here with all of these people that loved and cared for my baby, is so awesome and it’s a great experience to have to just see the love and to feel the love and to just hear the stories, it’s great.”
Those attending the vigil also completed a lap of the track that Natalie knew so well from her training.
Her coaches and teammates paid their respects as well, with Tierra Kelly saying: “She was so sweet with the biggest smile.
“It was very warm. She made you feel like you were welcome and comfortable always around her.”
“Every time you’re going to be around Natalie, you’re going to laugh,” added Courtney Adams.
Coach Christi Delaughter remarked: “Couldn’t have asked for a better athlete or a better person to come and be a part of our team.”