A 17-year-old high school senior died after she collapsed on the football field during the school’s homecoming game.

Breanne McKean was announced as a candidate for homecoming queen at Ohio’s Mapleton High School.

McKean “collapsed on the field shortly after she was announced as a contender for homecoming queen,” NBC News reports.

According to Mapleton Local Schools, the “football game was suspended at halftime and the teams and student body were notified of this tragic event.”

Mapleton Local Schools announced via Facebook:

It is with a heavy heart that the Mapleton Local School District announces the passing of Bre McKean, a senior at Mapleton High School, on Friday, September 29, 2023 due to a medical emergency during homecoming festivities prior to the football game. Our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to the McKean family, friends and the Mapleton community.

The Mapleton-South Central football game was suspended at halftime and the teams and student body were notified of this tragic event. Mapleton staff and grief counselors were available immediately after this announcement to provide comfort and support. Grief counselors will also be available for students and staff on Monday, October 2, 2023 provided by our community partners of Appleseed Community Mental Health Center, the Ashland County Ministerial Association and psi Associates. A special thank you goes out to the South Central community, administration, coaches, players and fans for their compassion and support last night. We would also like to thank our Mapleton community and surrounding school districts and communities for their continued support, encouragement and prayers during this difficult time.

The homecoming dance scheduled for Saturday, September 30, 2023 is canceled. All Mapleton athletic events are canceled through Wednesday, October 4, 2023.

A press release from the Ashland County Coroner’s Office said it will take 12 weeks to determine McKean’s cause of death.

“The preliminary report is pending and we are waiting for the completion of the toxicology results. Please note that toxicology is ran for many different reasons other than drug testing. These results will take approximately 12 weeks till they are complete. Cause of death will be determined at that time,” the press release states.

Local outlet Ashland Source wrote:

A memorial service has been set for a Mapleton High School student who collapsed during Homecoming festivities Friday night.

A Tuesday press release from Mapleton Local Schools stated services for Breanne McKean, 17, will take place on Oct. 7 at the Niss Athletic Center on Ashland University’s campus.

There will be an informal fellowship from 10 a.m. to noon. A memorial service will follow at 12 p.m.

The family requested attendees to wear “casual Mapleton Mountie spirit wear, team wear or red/white/blue,” according to the press release.

McKean, a Mapleton senior Homecoming queen candidate, died after collapsing on the football field during festivities before the game between the Mounties and South Central.

The game was suspended at halftime after school officials announced McKean’s death, according to previous Ashland Source reporting. An investigator with the Ashland County Coroner’s office told Ashland Source Saturday that her cause of death has not been determined.

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