ARK CITY, Kan. (KWCH) – The city of Arkansas Metropolis (Ark Metropolis) got here collectively Friday evening to recollect Rhett Lathers. The 17-year-old scholar 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 had been injured within the crash through which the Oklahoma Freeway Patrol reported the 18-year-old driver was underneath the affect. The motive force was not significantly 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 sport, 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 applicable with Ark Metropolis dealing with circumstances a lot greater than the sport of soccer.
At Ark Metropolis Excessive College Friday evening, there was nonetheless a game-like environment 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 sector. The gamers suited as much as honor their fallen teammate. Lathers’ quantity, 42, lined the sector and scoreboard.
“I really like what I do and love teaching younger males and love this sport. And [Lathers] is the kind of child that matched that zeal, 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 lots of of neighborhood members concerning the form of scholar, teammate and good friend 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 swimsuit as much as honor Lathers as a substitute. 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 obtained that sort of impression, not simply on the soccer workforce, however on the neighborhood,” Weimers stated. “It clearly confirmed tonight. HIs household, his mates, mates of mates and simply people who knew him round right here, it’s actually form of cool to see the neighborhood come collectively.”
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