Days before starting his freshman cross-country season in Houston, Texas, 14-year-old Michael Riley died Sunday after contracting a rare brain infection, caused by making contact with a freshwater amoeba.

Riley qualified for the Junior Olympics three times in track. On a Facebook page honoring him, friends posted pictures and memories from his running career, which included a 1:01.29 400-meters as a 12-year-old at the Junior Olympics.

“It is with a heavy heart that we tell you, Michael John Riley Jr. lost his battle on this earth but won a victory for his place in the arms of our Lord Jesus Christ,” the Facebook page Miracle 4 Michael posted early Sunday morning. “Michael fought a courageous fight over the past week, allowing him to move on to be with the Lord for future heavenly tasks, a beautiful set of wings, and a pair of gold running shoes.”

Riley contracted the amoeba, called Naegleria fowleri, while on a retreat with his team. Doctors believe it entered through his nose when he jumped into a lake. The condition has been contracted only 133 times in the past 33 years, but it has been fatal in all but three cases.

As Riley was being treated in the hospital, the Cy-Ridge High School cross-country team, which Riley would have been a member of, ran its first meet. Runners on the team who earned medals at the meet can be seen in a video posted to Facebook saying, “This is for Michael.”

Riley’s family is trying to raise awareness about primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, the infection caused when the brain comes in contact with the amoeba. The family has started a GoFundMe page, which had raised more than $26,000 as of September 1. On it they describe Riley’s excitement for the upcoming cross-country season.

“Michael was ready to continue his cross country training by running 12 miles a day,” the page said. “On Thursday, August 13th he enjoyed a wonderful sunny day by going on an annual school trip to Sam Houston State Park with his new high school track team and coach.”

Doctors recommend swimming with nose plugs in bodies of warm fresh water, and not swimming in stagnant or murky water, to avoid the infection.

Details for further donation opportunities and funeral arrangements will be announced on the Miracle 4 Michael Facebook page.

Kit Fox Special Projects Editor Kit has been a health, fitness, and running journalist for the past five years.

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