Bayside High School student-athlete dies after collapsing during conditioning

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A Bayside High School student-athlete died Wednesday after collapsing during after-school conditioning, Bayside High School principal Troy Walton said.

It was a grim start to the school day on Thursday when news broke. Many students were trying to make sense of their emotions.

“It was like, ‘Dang, somebody in the school is really dead,'” Bayside High School senior Joshua Unobagha said. “A lot of people are dying left and right, but at this school I didn’t really expect anyone to die.”

Elder Joseph Wallis was amazed.

“It was shocking, to say the least,” the 17-year-old said.

The following notice was sent to families at Bayside High School on Thursday morning:

Bayside families, this is Mr. Troy Walton, Principal of Bayside High School, calling to share with you some very sad news. An athlete from Bayside High School collapsed during conditioning yesterday afternoon and later died. The staff at Bayside High School are deeply touched by this tragic loss and we know that our students and our community will be affected as well. BHS administration, VBCPS counselors and support staff are ready to meet the needs of our staff and students. We also know that family is often the best source of comfort for our students during such tragic events. I know you will keep this family in your thoughts and prayers. We are strong at Bayside.

“Shocked,” said Aiden Pick, a 2021 graduate. “I mean you never expect it, especially from kids this young.”

According to VBCPS officials, the deceased student is male.

The school district is not releasing the teen’s name or details about what caused his death.

His classmates, however, said he was playing basketball when he suddenly fell to the ground.

Pick, 19, said they were both on the school football team.

“He was a really good guy,” he said. “A lot of people really like him. That’s kind of all I’ve really heard about him – no bad things at all.

Unobagha told News 3 he believed the deceased student was 16 years old. He said during Thursday morning announcements that the students paused for a moment of silence.

“I didn’t know him, but I was still sad,” he said.

Some students told News 3 they didn’t know their classmate had died.

Virginia Beach City Public Schools school administration, counselors and support staff will be on hand to meet the needs of staff and students following the student’s death.