Girl, 17, Dies After Collapsing on Football Field During Homecoming Event: ‘A Beautiful Soul’

An Ohio community is reeling following the sudden death of a 17-year-old girl during her high school's Homecoming festivities last week.

Breanne McKean, a senior Homecoming Queen candidate at Mapleton High School in Ashland, died following a pregame event after she had an undisclosed "medical emergency" on Friday night, Mapleton Local Schools announced on Saturday.

"Our hearts, thoughts, and prayers go out to the McKean family, friends, and the Mapleton community," the school district said in a statement.

McKean's father said she collapsed on the football field after being introduced as part of the homecoming court, and died a short time later while at the hospital, ABC affiliate WEWS reported.

She "was everything to us," Tim McKean, who is also Mapleton's high school athletic director, told the outlet.

The school suspended its Homecoming football game at halftime that night, according to the Ashland Source. A dance scheduled for the next day was also canceled.

The exact cause of McKean's death has not been announced, and the Ashland Source reported that her body had been transported to Lucas County for an autopsy.

In their statement, Mapleton Local Schools announced that grief counselors were made available to students, with ongoing support planned for their return to school Oct. 2.

Athletic events at the school have been canceled through Wednesday.

"As we mourn the loss of a beautiful soul, we ask you for your continued thoughts and prayers for the McKean family, the Volleyball team, and the Mapleton community," Mapleton's cheer team in an Instagram post on Saturday.

McKean was a volleyball team member, and their games and a youth volleyball camp were also canceled.