Friends, competitors and teammates took to social media when a UF long-distance runner was hit by a car.
Lauren Brasure, a 19-year-old UF sociology sophomore, was crossing West University Avenue and 24th Street when she was hit at about 10 p.m. on Dec. 9. She was rushed to UF Health Shands Hospital and later had brain surgery.
Her teammate and friend, Lauren Perry, said she rushed to the emergency room when she got a text saying Brasure had been hit.
She wanted to remain positive and supportive of Brasure and her family through it all, the 19-year-old UF business sophomore said.
During the next few days, support for the runner flooded the hospital room through cards, gifts and Bible verses, Perry said. About 75 athletes wrote messages to Brasure on colorful pieces of paper to make a prayer chain that hung above her bed as she recovered.
“The entire sports community at UF really teamed up to support her and her family,” she said.
On Dec. 11, Florida State University’s cross country and track and field athletes came together during their last week of finals, wearing maroon and gold. They made signs that read “Stay Strong” and “#PrayforLauren.”
Bridget Blake, a co-captain of FSU’s cross-country team, said even though FSU and UF are rivals, Brasure was a friend. She said she would do it for any runner: The bond of athletes goes past any rivalry.
“Just to let her know that we’re there,” Blake said she told her teammates. “That’s something very scary, especially not knowing what’s going to happen.”
The picture made rounds on social media, said Robert Thomas, a sports director at FSU.
“When someone goes down, there’s a lot of compassion,” Thomas said. “I think there’s a natural connection, just kind of a common bond. I think the Florida girls would do the same thing for our girls.”
Contact Melissa Gomez at mgomez@alligator.org and follow her on Twitter @melissagomez004
Florida State University athletes pose for a photo in support of UF long-distance runner Lauren Brasure. The photo made rounds on social media as athletes from other universities shared their support.
