Autopsy pending on West Branch youth

BELOIT — Ryan Johnson, 17, collapsed after posting a time one second off of his best in his leg of a relay race Tuesday evening. West Branch Superintendent, Dr. Scott Weingart, said coaches and emergency personnel tried to revive Ryan, a junior, but he died at Alliance Community Hospital.

School officials are unaware of any health problems. An autopsy by the Stark County Coroner’s office is pending.

“He was very active kid, and a great kid,” the superintendent said. “Besides track, Ryan participated in the school’s cross country, soccer and basketball teams,” Weingart said. He was also active in the Youth Group at Damascus United Methodist Church.

For more on this story, please see Thursday’s Vindicator or Vindy.com.