A recent Walsh University graduate and Medina native died Sunday after collapsing a quarter-mile from the finish line at the Cleveland Marathon.

Staff, students and alumni at Walsh planned to mourn the loss of Taylor Ceepo, 22, on Sunday night with a Mass.

Ceepo graduated from St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron. She collapsed around midday Sunday toward the end of the 42nd annual Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon. She was treated on the scene by University Hospital personnel then transported to UH's Cleveland Medical Center where a spokesman for the hospital said she was pronounced dead on arrival.

In a prepared statement to media, Walsh Vice President of Student Affairs Amy Malaska said: "It is my sad duty to inform you that a beloved member of our Walsh family, Ms. Taylor Ceepo, collapsed today while running the Cleveland marathon and has passed away. ... Her mother, dear friends and her boyfriend (also a Walsh student) were with her. Our love and deepest sympathies go to her family and loved ones. Your Walsh family will keep you all in prayer."

Cristine Torek, public relations specialist working for the Cleveland Marathon, said the 22-year-old soccer player nearly finished the race on an unseasonably hot day. Other runners frequently attempted the longer full or half-marathon and settled, instead, for the shorter 10K, Torek said.

About 15,000 runners participated in the Cleveland Marathon, a charitable race that strives to provide "a fitness experience for all individuals who want to participate regardless of their abilities." Participants were told they could run or walk as the temperatures reached into the 80s.

Hospital officials told Beacon Journal/Ohio.com news partner News 5 Cleveland that 60 to 70 racers were treated on site for "heat illnesses, dehydration, muscle strain and ortho injuries."

Ceepo was a National Honor Society student who started her college career as a physical therapy major. She graduated this spring as a biology pre-professional major with minors in psychology and chemistry.

She lettered in 2015, 2016 and 2017 as a midfielder on the Walsh women's soccer team. She was also a four-year starter in St. V-M's soccer program, which climbed as high as No. 4 in the state during her tenure and earned a trip to the district final her senior year.

The marathon sent "thoughts and sympathy" to Ceepo's friends and family via Twitter just before 1 p.m. Sunday. Walsh said Residence Life staff would be available to help students cope with the loss.

Contact Doug Livingston at dlivingston@thebeaconjournal.com or 330-996-3792.