Jeremy Elliot finished first in the javelin on Thursday at the Tonganoxie Invitational with a throw of 142 feet, 8 inches. Elliott’s dad, Rex Elliott, is in the background. Jeremy died in his sleep Thursday night from a heart condition.
Tonganoxie — On a picture-perfect spring day Thursday, Jeremy Elliott threw the javelin 142 feet, 8 inches — his best so far this season and good for first place in front of the home crowd.
The excited Tonganoxie High School junior, a multi-sport athlete, snagged a big gold medal. A little later, he and a friend picked up the outfit he planned to wear to tonight’s prom.
But Elliott won’t be attending prom.
The 17-year-old died in his sleep Thursday night from what an autopsy determined was a heart condition.
Family friend Kurt Young said that Elliott had the condition “for a little while” and that doctors hoped he’d “grow out of it.”
“He was in great physical condition,” Young said. “He was a specimen.”
Elliott thought his heart was racing Thursday evening, Young said, but he went to eat and felt better.
“There really wasn’t any concern,” Young said. “He’d had that before on multiple occasions.”
Elliott was involved in football, wrestling and track at THS and also was a member of the school’s powerlifting team.
And he had the academics to match his presence in athletics.
A member of the National Honor Society and a regular on the honor roll, Elliott was recognized at the school’s Educational Excellence Banquet in March on the Kansas University campus. To be recognized at the ceremony, students must maintain a 3.6 grade-point average for at least the previous two semesters.
He enjoyed fishing and was an active Boy Scout who nearly had completed the requirements for Eagle Scout. He’ll receive that honor posthumously.
Dirk Scates, senior minister at Tonganoxie Christian Church, announces THS track meets.
“I was watching him throw javelin,” Scates said Friday. “As I announced last night and saw that he won, I thought ‘Wow.’ That was huge for him to win with 142 feet and some change. … Just a good kid. He had a great attitude. I was thrilled to see him win the javelin.”
Scates and a number of other adults gathered Friday at Tonganoxie High School to do what they could to help students as they grieved.
“There really isn’t much you can say,” THS football coach Mark Elston said. “About all you can do is lend a shoulder if they need a hug, you give them a hug and let them talk if they want to talk.
“Some kids wanted to talk and some kids wanted to keep things inside. It was really good to all be around each other and not in isolation.”
Elliott’s death comes at a time that three other THS students are battling serious health issues.
“The Tonganoxie kids have been through a lot emotionally in the last month,” Elston said. “A lot of it came out in that room.”
Comments
Music_Girl 4 years, 1 month ago
This is terribly sad and my heart and prayers go out to the family and friends of this young man.
Ralph Reed 4 years, 1 month ago
Light a candle for Jeremy and his family.
Jersey_Girl 4 years, 1 month ago
This just sucks. My thoughts are with his family and friends.
Pywacket 4 years, 1 month ago
Deepest condolences to Jeremy's family and friends.
This brings back very painful memories. A Baldwin girl who was one of my daughter's kindergarten friends died in her sleep a few years ago at a hotel, where she and her mom were staying for a tournament (softball, I think).
We hadn't seen them for a few years, but it really hit home, as you can imagine. In her case, it took quite a while for pathologists to figure out what was wrong--turned out to be a very rare heart problem. She had seemed the picture of health, which is probably true of this young man as well.
This is the ultimate nightmare for any parent. If you've got 'em, hug 'em a little tighter tonight.
jonas_opines 4 years, 1 month ago
Still in early enough.
Loved Ones and Family: Read Further at Your Own Peril. Or better yet, don't.
RoeDapple 4 years, 1 month ago
Sad, very sad..............
Scattered 4 years, 1 month ago
Each day of life is so precious.....
My prayers are with the family and friends of this young man. I am so very sorry for your tragic loss. May God hold you close.
sunflower_sue 4 years, 1 month ago
My prayers are with Jeremy's family.
cheeseburger 4 years, 1 month ago
The Tonganoxie school district sure has had their share of tragedies recently. Prayers to all who are affected.
mommyoffour 4 years, 1 month ago
Thoughts and prayers to this family.
Jersey_Girl 4 years, 1 month ago
Pywacket - my condolences to you, your daughter and her friend's family.
misplacedcheesehead 4 years, 1 month ago
Oh no....
Dejacrew423 4 years, 1 month ago
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of this young man. Very sad. I'm sure he will be deeply missed. Again, my deepest condolences to all those who knew and loved this young man.
yellowhouse 4 years, 1 month ago
must have been a heart problem. A bad heart is the silent killer of children.
my 10yr. old sister died suddenly from an undiagnosed heart defect.
middlemgmt 4 years, 1 month ago
The unthinkable happened to this family and my heart goes out the them. My condolences to all of Jeremy's friends and family.
trinity 4 years, 1 month ago
i am so very sorry for your loss. thoughts and prayers with family, friends, and fellow students at the high school.
TongieMom 4 years, 1 month ago
Prayers are with the Elliott family and all of Jeremy's friends. These young people have experienced the unimaginable in recent weeks with Connor, Austin & now Jeremy.
seriouscat 4 years, 1 month ago
My deepest and most heart felt condolences to the loved ones of this young man.
Strontius 4 years, 1 month ago
Maybe rather than lighting a candle and saying words to nothingness, people could offer kind words directly to his family and donate some capital to the many organizations working to combat these illnesses. You know, something that actually makes a tangible difference...
TongieMom 4 years, 1 month ago
Strontius...no worries. These young people and the community are raising money for these families and it will make a tangible difference in their lives and of those effected by such tragedy. They have wasted no time in the past few weeks and are already putting in the effort to make a difference when and how they can. I'm excited to see the long term effects and goals of these efforts (again, this has happened so suddenly and has been a shock to everyone).
The spirit of these young people...those who are fighting and the one who passed so suddenly have made a difference in the lives of so many...
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