Bartlett HS remembers cross country runner after unexpected passing

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Tragedy strikes in Bartlett after a high school athlete lost his life last week.

Back in 2022, WREG told the story of Gabriel Higginbottom , a cross-country runner for Bartlett High School, who had to undergo emergency heart surgery following a race.

Higginbottom unexpectedly passed away last Friday, the same day he was meant to pick up his cap and gown for graduation.

His mother shared the tragic news with his cross-country team.

According to Kris Harman, the boys’ coach for Bartlett High School’s cross country and track team, Higginbottom suffered a heart attack two years ago after a race.

“I was the coach when we were in Pensacola, Florida when he had the initial heart attack,” Harman said. “We stayed down there for roughly two weeks with tests and procedures. It was a constant battle for him.”

Harman told WREG that Higginbottom’s health rapidly declined after that.

One of the people by Higginbottom’s side during this time was his teammate, Tyler West.

“So Tyler is a cancer survivor. He was in treatment at St Jude. and when Gabe first had his medical issues,” said Tyler’s mother Michelle. “Tyler, I think was very empathetic to that because he had been through being isolated from his friends and not being able to do the things that normal kids get to do.”

Tyler and the team wanted to show support for their friend while he recovered, so he said they decided to honor him with their uniforms.

“He had a heart attack and we wanted to show love and support to him and show that even though something like this happened, we’re still with him,” Tyler said. “So, we had a shirt made and had a running uniform made so we could wear it during our race. We wanted to show him he was still with us despite everything that happened.”

Higginbottom was on track to graduate on May 6.

In a post on Facebook, the Bartlett Touchdown Club issued the following statement about Higginbottom’s passing:

The Panther family has suffered a great loss. A senior, Gabriel Higginbottom has gained his wings. He always wore a smile and loved with his whole heart. He was a proud Christian and an amazing friend. Please keep his friends, family, and cross country family in your prayers in the days ahead. We know he is running on the golden streets of heaven.”

Bartlett Touchdown Club

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