prayer request

My cousin Hannah is 16 and her best friend died yesterday at a swim practice at school. Her name is Mackenzie and we request peace and strength during this sad time for the family. Thank you for all your prayers.

Howell High Swimmer Dies after Collapsing at Practice
By The Associated Press
November 22, 2005

HOWELL, Mich. - A high school swimmer collapsed at practice and later died, authorities said.

Mackenzie Watts, 15, was taking part in a series of noncompetitive relays that were part of the team's end-of-season practice when she became ill Monday.

An ambulance was called and medical personnel tried to resuscitate her using a defibrillator, but she died later at St. Joseph Mercy Livingston Hospital in Howell, Superintendent Chuck Breiner told the Livingston County Daily Press & Argus.

School officials were unsure what caused the teenager's death or whether she had a pre-existing heart condition like Detroit Red Wings defenseman Jiri Fischer, who collapsed Monday night at Joe Louis Arena but was revived with a defibrillator.

Breiner said Watts, a sophomore, recently had the flu. She had earned her second varsity letter during the swim season.

"She was the hardest-working kid in the pool," said Zachary Kasprzak, her coach on the Howell High School team.

Kasprzak said Watts, who specialized in freestyle distance swimming, was a natural leader who quickly earned respect from the upperclassmen. He was considering her for captain of next year's team, a rare appointment for a junior, he said.

The team was celebrating a winning season with some fun relays when the incident occurred, Kasprzak said.

Fellow sophomore Elia Perry described Watts "as a friend to everybody."

Grief counseling was available at the school's media center.

Howell is located about 60 miles west of Detroit.