The search for Hoppines’ body continued well into the afternoon hours on Thursday, until a search and rescue team from Jacksonville discovered the body late in the afternoon. “The VSU athletic family is saddened by the loss of Tajay Hoppines, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family and his cross country teammates and coaches,” said Valdosta State athletic director Herb Reinhard.
Hoppines,18, and fellow Valdosta State cross country runners were training in the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Fla. Wednesday and decided to go for a swim in the murky waters of the Suwanee River.
“They had been out running on the property at the Spirit of the Suwanee doing training,” Suwanee County Sheriff Tony Cameron told the Suwannee Democrat. “They then went to the river.”
Several members of the team decided to swim across the river at the popular sandbar inside the park. That is when Hoppines went under the water, according to the Democrat. Teammates attempted to bring up Hoppines, but couldn’t locate is body.
The VSU cross country team was set to return home from the Suwanee Park today, but was all back in Valdosta late Wednesday night. Members of the team will receive counseling on behalf of the VSU Counseling Center.
