Natalie Black, a talented and promising track and field athlete, tragically passed away at the young age of 19. The sophomore from Belhaven University, known for her incredible determination and vibrant personality, was found unresponsive on March 1 after taking a nap on her family’s couch following a successful day on the track.

Just hours before her passing, Natalie had set a new personal record in the triple jump at Belhaven’s first outdoor meet of the season in Clinton, Mississippi. Her leap of 11.01 meters earned her second place in the event, a significant achievement in her athletic career.

Her graduate assistant coach, Tytavia Hardy, recalled the celebration after Natalie’s record-breaking jump. “She almost knocked me over celebrating,” Hardy said at a candlelit vigil held in her memory. “She had made it into the ’11-meter club’,” she added, referring to the milestone of jumping 11 meters or more.

Head coach Butch Ard also reminisced about Natalie’s excitement after her jump. “She walked over to me and said, ‘I know you saw that, Coach.’ I told her, ‘I absolutely did.’” Her father, Toiwarn Black, reflected on how hard Natalie had worked to make him proud, sharing, “She did. She absolutely accomplished that goal.”

Later that evening, still riding high from her success, Natalie returned to her family’s home in Terry, Mississippi. She lay down on the couch for a nap—one from which she would never wake. Her mother, Formeka Black, shared her heartbreak on social media, recalling the last moments they spent together. She wrote, “We had an amazing last day from morning until night. She was so happy! That smile, man! She made the best triple jump record she ever had, beat her personal record! And later into the night, still celebrating with family, she simply laid on the couch for a little nap and never woke up.”

Despite the overwhelming sadness, Formeka expressed gratitude, thanking God that her daughter’s passing was peaceful. “I THANK GOD. There was no suffering. HE gave us that much Grace!” she wrote.

At the vigil, classmates, teammates, and coaches gathered to honor Natalie’s memory. Many spoke of her warmth and positive energy, using words like “sweet,” “kind,” and “bubbly” to describe her. Her mother shared how deeply Natalie affected everyone around her, saying, “When she comes in the room, the energy shifts. She’s just so positive and loving. That baby lived her life big and happily and joyously.”

Natalie’s father was touched by the support from friends and teammates who attended the vigil. “To see all these people here for my baby—it’s overwhelming. It’s a blessing to hear their stories and feel the love they had for her,” he said, deeply moved by the outpouring of affection.

As a tribute to their beloved teammate, those gathered at the vigil took a symbolic lap around the track—where Natalie had spent countless hours training, perfecting her skills, and pushing herself to achieve greatness.

Teammate Tierra Kelly fondly remembered Natalie’s ability to make others feel at ease. “She made you feel like you were welcome and comfortable always around her,” Kelly shared. “She had the biggest smile. It was warm, inviting—it always made you feel at ease.”

Coach Christi Delaughter expressed the collective grief, summing up the deep loss felt by all who knew Natalie. “Couldn’t have asked for a better athlete or a better person to come and be a part of our team,” she said.

The sudden passing of Natalie Black has left a hole in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her. Though she is no longer with them, her legacy of determination, kindness, and joy will continue to inspire everyone who was touched by her light.