The Whittier High School community is coping with the aftermath of one of its students, a track athlete, who collapsed on March 31 during practice at Michigan Park.
Mason Tellez was training with the school’s cross country and long distance track team when he dropped to the ground. Tellez collapsed due to an unknown problem with his heart, according to a statement released Monday by his mother, Ellen Tellez.
“He remains in serious condition, but at this point is breathing on his own,” Tellez said. “We are seeing very slow improvements. We remain optimistic.”
In her statement, she thanked Whittier High track coach Dan Whittington as he administered CPR until the police and paramedics arrived. Tellez, a junior, was transported to PIH Health where he is continuing to receive medical treatment.
“Our prayers remain with Mason and his family as they deal with this very difficult situation,” Whittier High School Principal Lori Eshilian said. “They have been surrounded by family and friends for support.”
School counselors met with students after the incident and are available for future counseling.
Eshilian and staff also met with students who have class with Tellez, who is a special needs student with mild physical, medical and cognitive disabilities.
“Mason has always brought so much joy to the team,” Whittington said. “Our team is all about relationships and it feels like a family member is missing; the team is not the same without him.”
More than 300 students from throughout the Whittier Union High School District sported orange arm bands, Tellez’s favorite color, for an organized run April 8 from their schools to the steps of PIH Health.
Runners from Whittier, Pioneer, La Serna and California high schools participated in the event.
Whittier High’s track team ran in a track meet at Santa Fe High School on April 3, where they were met with a banner that read, “Praying for Mason.”
The Whittier Police Department donated $200 in gift cards to the Tellez family, officials said.
“As I told his classmates, no other student that I know works as hard to achieve a personal best record than Mason,” Eshilian said.
This show of support has helped the Tellez family find strength to deal with this medical emergency.
“His hospital room is covered with banners, cards and even paintings from his friends at Whittier High,” Ellen Tellez said. “They are a comfort and really help to keep up our spirits and stay positive.”
She also encouraged all high school athletes to get cardiology exams.
“We didn’t know about Mason’s heart problem, and I can’t help thinking that if we had, this all could have been prevented.”
— Staff Writer Sandra T. Molina contributed to this report.
