March 24, 2008

PENSACOLA, Fla. - The University of West Florida Athletic Department is deeply saddened by the untimely loss of one of their family. Sophomore cross country and track student-athlete Ashley Collis, 19, passed away on Saturday as a result of a car accident. She was traveling to the Atlanta area to be with her family for Easter when the accident occurred. This is the second tragedy within the UWF Athletic family this semester, as the women's golf team lost Danielle Smith in a traffic accident in mid January.

Collis previously attended Truitt McConnell College her freshman year, and graduated from John McEachern High School in her hometown of Powder Springs, Georgia. Collis had helped the Lady Bears of Truitt McConnell to a National Junior College Athletic Association Region title, as she finished in 8th place in the regional championship race. She was expected to compete very well for the Argos in the future, despite having to battle through various injuries during the fall cross country season.

Head coach Matt Dobson said the team is very saddened by the event. "We are a very close knit unit, and Ashley had some great friendships among teammates. She was a very easy-going, likeable person, and such a positive influence on the rest of the team. She was just a great kid from a small town, a truly genuine person, and we are going to miss her."

Collis was scheduled to run in her first UWF track meet this weekend at the FSU Relays. Despite battling injuries this past cross country season, Collis ran in two meets and accompanied the team for several other meets, as she was dedicated to help the team in any way. Collis ran in the Mt. Dew Invitational at Gainesville this past fall, and ran in the Argos Invitational meet in late September, where she turned in a 24:52 for the 5K event.

The entire men's and women's cross country teams are planning on making the trip to Marietta, Georgia to pay tribute to Ashley this week. The Collis family will receive friends at the funeral home, Tuesday, March 25, 2008 from 2:00 - 4:00 pm and 6:00 - 8:00 pm. West Cobb Funeral Home in Marietta, Georgia is in charge of the arrangements. The funeral is scheduled for 2:00 pm on Wednesday, March 26 at Macland Baptist Church.