Wisconsin announces track star's death on Friday

The Wisconsin Badgers announced the death of track and field and cross country runner Sarah Schulze on Friday afternoon.

Wisconsin released a statement regarding Schulze, saying their main focus will be on the family and their student-athletes. Listing out all of the ways she impacted people, Wisconsin sent our their “deepest condolences” to everyone affected.

“The Wisconsin Athletics community is heartbroken by the unexpected passing of Sarah Schulze, a junior with the Badger women’s track and field and cross country teams. Sarah was a beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, friend, teammate, and Badger student-athlete. We extend our deepest condolences to Sarah’s family, friends and Badger teammates during this extraordinarily difficult time. Our primary focus is the support of the Schulze family and our student-athletes.

The Schulze family has made additional information available at sarchschulze.com.”

There will be two services held to remember Schulze, with one taking place in Madison and another in her home state of California. All family and friends have been invited to both, where they will celebrate her 22 years of life together.

“Sarah took her own life,” the website said. “Balancing athletics, academics and the demands of every day life overwhelmed her in a single, desperate moment. Like you, we are shocked and grief stricken while holding on tightly to all that Sarah was.

Above all other things, Sarah was a power for good in the world. Her deep compassion was evident in her devotion to her sisters Abbey and Ella, the love her parents felt from her every single day, and the extra care she took in moments shared with her grandparents and cousins. Her service to her community started at a young age through the National Charity League. Sarah was a member of the Oak Park High School Class of 2019 and served her high school’s student body as a member of the ASB for four years.”