FARGO, N.D. (AP) _ A North Dakota State University cheerleader and track standout was declared brain dead Friday, two days after she struck her head in a 10-foot fall from atop a human pyramid, officials said. Janis Thompson and three male cheerleaders were practicing a new formation in the university gymnasium Wednesday when she fell, said school spokesman Ray Burington.
The 21-year-old senior zoology major suffered multiple skull fractures and massive brain injuries, said Dorothy Waite, nursing director at Dakota Hospital. ″Every possible precaution was taken,″ Jackie Ressler, the cheerleader team's adviser, said in a statement issued by the school. ″It was simply a freak accident and we're all just devastated by it.″ She was to be taken off life-support systems later Friday after doctors removed organs for donation, Ms. Waite said.
Ms. Thompson was to have been honored Saturday at a home football game for being named a top cheerleader by the National Cheerleading Association, Burington said. She had worked for the NCA for the past two years, instructing at high school cheerleading camps around the country, he said. Ms. Thompson also was a member of the university's track team, and set school records in the 100-meter dash and the indoor 200-meter dash.
Contributor: Jeffrey Forloines (47150403)
The 21-year-old senior zoology major suffered multiple skull fractures and massive brain injuries, said Dorothy Waite, nursing director at Dakota Hospital. ″Every possible precaution was taken,″ Jackie Ressler, the cheerleader team's adviser, said in a statement issued by the school. ″It was simply a freak accident and we're all just devastated by it.″ She was to be taken off life-support systems later Friday after doctors removed organs for donation, Ms. Waite said.
Ms. Thompson was to have been honored Saturday at a home football game for being named a top cheerleader by the National Cheerleading Association, Burington said. She had worked for the NCA for the past two years, instructing at high school cheerleading camps around the country, he said. Ms. Thompson also was a member of the university's track team, and set school records in the 100-meter dash and the indoor 200-meter dash.
Contributor: Jeffrey Forloines (47150403)
FARGO, N.D. (AP) _ A North Dakota State University cheerleader and track standout was declared brain dead Friday, two days after she struck her head in a 10-foot fall from atop a human pyramid, officials said. Janis Thompson and three male cheerleaders were practicing a new formation in the university gymnasium Wednesday when she fell, said school spokesman Ray Burington.
The 21-year-old senior zoology major suffered multiple skull fractures and massive brain injuries, said Dorothy Waite, nursing director at Dakota Hospital. ″Every possible precaution was taken,″ Jackie Ressler, the cheerleader team's adviser, said in a statement issued by the school. ″It was simply a freak accident and we're all just devastated by it.″ She was to be taken off life-support systems later Friday after doctors removed organs for donation, Ms. Waite said.
Ms. Thompson was to have been honored Saturday at a home football game for being named a top cheerleader by the National Cheerleading Association, Burington said. She had worked for the NCA for the past two years, instructing at high school cheerleading camps around the country, he said. Ms. Thompson also was a member of the university's track team, and set school records in the 100-meter dash and the indoor 200-meter dash.
Contributor: Jeffrey Forloines (47150403)
The 21-year-old senior zoology major suffered multiple skull fractures and massive brain injuries, said Dorothy Waite, nursing director at Dakota Hospital. ″Every possible precaution was taken,″ Jackie Ressler, the cheerleader team's adviser, said in a statement issued by the school. ″It was simply a freak accident and we're all just devastated by it.″ She was to be taken off life-support systems later Friday after doctors removed organs for donation, Ms. Waite said.
Ms. Thompson was to have been honored Saturday at a home football game for being named a top cheerleader by the National Cheerleading Association, Burington said. She had worked for the NCA for the past two years, instructing at high school cheerleading camps around the country, he said. Ms. Thompson also was a member of the university's track team, and set school records in the 100-meter dash and the indoor 200-meter dash.
Contributor: Jeffrey Forloines (47150403)
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