TAMPA, Fla. — Thanks to the quick actions of the track coach and assistant principal at Leto High School, a student athlete is alive today. Senior Ansel Lantigua suffered a medical emergency at track practice last Monday. He had no pulse and wasn’t breathing.

What You Need To Know

  • Leto High School track coach performed CPR on student after he collapsed at practice, and the assistant principal used AED machine to revive him

  • The student was released from the hospital recently and is recovering at home

  • Lawmakers are considering a bill right now that would require all public schools to have at least one AED

Both the track coach and assistant principal say this was the first time they had to actually perform CPR on a person, and use an AED machine, but thanks to them staying calm, and immediately reacting, they were able to play a part in saving Ansel’s life.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office released body cam video from the first responding deputy. In it, you can see Ansel laying on the track, unresponsive. Track coach Lauren Palek explains what happened before the deputy arrived.

“We started our run down here at the 100, and he came around the curve right here, and right at the 150 is where he collapsed," she said. "And as I was running from A to B, I was able to call our athletic director and she was able to get Scott out here with the AED, and I was able to get 911 on the phone.” 

As soon as she saw Ansel collapse on the track, Palek took action, performing CPR while assistant principal Scott Hazlett made his way down with the AED.

“It’s very visceral, and different to have to do that on a person, and a person you know. I think I was pretty numb in that moment just trying to focus on the task at hand,” Palek said. 

Hazlett says he felt the same way—focused. 

“I run full speed through the school to the track area and get to the track, see where Ms. Palak is administering CPR to the student, and I run down the track,” he said.

It was Hazelett’s first time using an AED outside of the training he received. “When I’m opening the pads up, I’m looking at the pictures, where do these things go?  That was the part that was a little nerve wracking, but beyond that, I just feel like it’s just a mode, there is no other option, this is what we’re doing,” he said.

They say what felt like an eternity was actually just seven minutes, then the ambulance arrived. Never once did Lauren stop CPR, and she credits the 911 operator for the additional support. “Even with training, it was scary, and I knew what to do but having someone on the other end of the line counting with me made me feel like I wasn’t alone.”

School administrators say Ansel was recently released from the hospital, and he’s recovering at home. Doctors are still trying to figure out exactly what happened.

Lawmakers are considering a bill right now that would require all public school’s to have at least one AED. All Hillsborough County public schools already have AED’s on campus.