WASHINGTON — Family and friends are mourning a Special Olympian who died following a swimming competition at Towson University over the weekend.
Tresaraie Shavers, a 48-year-old with addresses listed in Baltimore and Reisterstown, was competing in a backstroke competition at Towson University Saturday at 11 a.m. when she had some sort of medical emergency, reports The Baltimore Sun.
A coach saw Shavers’ jaw tighten and her body move in the opposite direction of her swim, according to a police report.
She was unconscious when she was pulled out of the pool and died at the hospital later that day.
It’s not yet clear what killed her.
Over the weekend, thousands of Special Olympians competed in the 45th annual Maryland Special Olympics Summer Games.
“Tressie was a brave, determined and vibrant young woman and was taking positive steps to improve her health and fitness,” Special Olympics Maryland officials said in a statement. “We mourn and celebrate her life and ask everyone to please respect the privacy of her family and her Special Olympics family during this difficult time.”
Shavers had Williams syndrome, genetic disorder, Special Olympics Maryland spokesman Jason Schriml said to The Sun. Shavers had participated in Special Olympics Maryland events for the past several years, Schriml added.
