ARK CITY, Kan. (KWCH) – The city of Arkansas Metropolis (Ark Metropolis) got here collectively Friday evening to recollect Rhett Lathers. The 17-year-old pupil athlete was a senior at Ark Metropolis Excessive College. He died from his injuries in a Tuesday night crash in Kay County, Okla. Two different passengers have been injured within the crash during which the Oklahoma Freeway Patrol reported the 18-year-old driver was beneath the affect. The driving force was not severely injured.
Lathers was a starter for Ark Metropolis Excessive College’s soccer workforce, which had been scheduled to play at McPherson Friday evening within the opening spherical of the Class 4A playoffs. Final season, Lathers was a key member of the Bulldog workforce that turned heads with a run to the state title recreation, a run that included an upset of McPherson within the state semifinals. Ark City chose to forfeit Friday night’s game, ending its season. It was a transfer each groups scheduled for the anticipated rematch felt was acceptable with Ark Metropolis going through circumstances a lot larger than the sport of soccer.
At Ark Metropolis Excessive College Friday evening, there was nonetheless a game-like ambiance with the marching band enjoying the alma mater and followers cheering on the soccer workforce as gamers stormed out of the locker room and onto the sphere. The gamers suited as much as honor their fallen teammate. Lathers’ quantity, 42, lined the sphere and scoreboard.
“I like what I do and love teaching younger males and love this sport. And [Lathers] is the kind of child that matched that keenness, which you don’t often see in a 15-to-18-year-old child,” Ark Metropolis Excessive College Head Soccer Coach Jon Weimers stated.
On the stadium Friday evening Weimers spoke to a whole lot of group members in regards to the form of pupil, teammate and pal Lathers was earlier than they turned off the lights, lit candles and had a second of silence for 42 seconds.
Weimers stated he is aware of Lathers would have wished his workforce to play Friday evening, however proper now, it’s nonetheless too recent. That’s why the Bulldogs determined to go well with as much as honor Lathers as an alternative. Weimers stated the gang that confirmed up Friday evening is a real testomony to Lathers’ character.
“He’s simply that sort of child. He’s acquired that sort of impression, not simply on the soccer workforce, however on the group,” Weimers stated. “It clearly confirmed tonight. HIs household, his buddies, buddies of buddies and simply those who knew him round right here, it’s actually form of cool to see the group come collectively.”
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