‘Teammates, coaches love you’: Southwestern Randolph High School mourns loss of soccer player

RANDOLPH COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP) — Southwestern Randolph High School is mourning the loss of a soccer player.

Earlier this month, SRHS held a prayer service for sophomore Pedro Ortiz-Perez. He died on Tuesday, according to a statement released by SWRHS Soccer on Wednesday.

His family tells FOX8 he was shot in the North Asheboro Park on May 3. His organs will be donated to eight people.

“Pedro was not just a talented player but also a kind-hearted and enthusiastic young man. His passion for the game was infectious, and he brought a positive energy to every practice and game,” the statement reads in part.

The next soccer season has been dedicated to Pedro.

“Every match, every goal, and every victory will be dedicated to his memory. His absence on the field will be felt deeply, but his spirit will inspire us to play with heart and determination,” the statement reads in part.

The full statement is provided below:

Coaching a high school soccer team is a rewarding yet challenging experience that comes with its share of highs and lows. One of the toughest moments a coach can face is dealing with the sudden loss of a player, Pedro, a member of our SWR Soccer team.

Pedro was not just a talented player but also a kind-hearted and enthusiastic young man. His passion for the game was infectious, and he brought a positive energy to every practice and game. As a coach, seeing Pedro and his teammates on the field was always a source of pride for me.

However, when Pedro passed away, yesterday. The news sent shockwaves through our team and Southwestern Randolph High School , leaving us devastated and struggling to come to terms with the loss of someone so young and full of life.

As coaches, our role extends beyond tactics and training. We have to guide our players through a period of grief and help them navigate the emotions that come with losing a teammate and friend. We will lean on each other for strength, finding comfort in our shared love for the game and our shared memories of Pedro. The soccer field, once a place of competition, will become a space for healing and remembrance.

In honoring Pedro, we dedicated next season to him. Every match, every goal, and every victory will be dedicated to his memory. His absence on the field will be felt deeply, but his spirit will inspire us to play with heart and determination.

Pedro may no longer be with us in person, but his spirit lives on in the bonds we’ve formed and the lessons we’ve learned. As we continue our journey, we carry his memory with us, a constant reminder of the impact one person can have on a team and a community.

Pedro would tell me, “I got you coach”.

#8 We got you! Your teammates and coaches love you and promise to keep your spirit alive in our hearts!

SWRHS Soccer

Superintendent Dr. Stephen Gainey sent the following statement to SRHS students:

A very special member of the Randolph County School System family, Pedro Ortiz-Perez, passed away on 5/14/24.  Pedro was a sophomore at Southwestern Randolph High School.  He was dearly loved by his classmates and the staff members at Southwestern Randolph High School as well as many other people throughout our community.  It is with extremely heavy hearts that the members of the Randolph County Board of Education and I extend our condolences to Pedro Ortiz-Perez’s family as well as the students, staff members, and community members of Southwestern Randolph High School.  Additional counselors will be on the campus of Southwestern Randolph High School to provide support for students and staff members at the school throughout the week as needed.

Superintendent Dr. Stephen Gainey

A GoFundMe has been set up.

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