University of Wisconsin Student-Athlete Passes Away at 21

Sarah Shulze, a student and track and cross-country athlete at University of Wisconsin, has passed away at age 21 from suicide.

In a statement posted to her website earlier this month, Sarah’s family confirmed that she died on April 13 after she “took her own life.”

“We suddenly and tragically lost our dear Sarah on Wednesday, April 13. She was surrounded by her loving family,” it read. “Sarah took her own life. Balancing athletics, academics and the demands of everyday life overwhelmed her in a single, desperate moment. Like you, we are shocked and grief stricken while holding on tightly to all that Sarah was.”

Despite their loss, Sarah’s loved ones remember her as a “deeply committed friend” and a “power for good in the world.”

“Her deep compassion was evident in her devotion to her sisters Abbey and Ella, the love her parents felt from her every single day, and the extra care she took in moments shared with her grandparents and cousins. Her service to her community started at a young age through the National Charity League. Sarah was a member of the Oak Park High School Class of 2019 and served her high school’s student body as a member of the ASB for four years,” they wrote.

Per People, Sarah joined her university’s cross-country, indoor track and outdoor track teams after earning a scholarship following her accomplishments as a runner and being named Ventura County Athlete of the Year.

In college, she served as a member of the Student-Athlete Council and scored academic All-Big Ten honors in 2020 and 2021 for cross country and in 2021 for track.

In a statement released Friday, the University of Wisconsin said they were “heartbroken” over Sarah’s death

“Sarah was a beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, friend, teammate and Badger student-athlete,” they said. “We extend our deepest sympathies and sincere condolences to Sarah’s family, friends and Badger teammates during this extraordinarily difficult time.”

There was a service held for Sarah on April 24 at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Memorial Union, and there will be a service on May 2 at the Calvary Community Church in Westlake Village, California.

In an update posted to her website on Friday, Sarah’s family said they created the Sarah Shulze Foundation to support causes that were important to Sarah.

“The Sarah Shulze Foundation will seek to advance and support Women’s Rights, Student Athletes and Mental Health,” the update read, adding, “It is our wish that in lieu of flowers, family and friends offer support to the Foundation, in various ways, in the weeks and months ahead.”

Our condolences go out to Sarah’s family and loved ones for their loss.