Aucilla Christian Academy introduced on Fb Sunday that senior Dakota Hagan, a two-sport athlete, has handed away.
Hagan performed soccer and baseball for the Warriors.
In response to a press launch issued by the college Monday, Hagan died of pure causes this previous weekend.
He was 18.
“It’s with deepest sorrow that we inform you of the loss of life of our beloved senior, Dakota Hagan,” Aucilla Christian Academy posted on its Fb.
“Please pray for his household, our college students and workers, and one another as all of us grieve the lack of one we love a lot. We’re assured that Dakota had a saving relationship with Jesus Christ; he had a coronary heart of thanksgiving, peace, and pleasure as a result of he knew Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. His testimony brings us nice consolation on this devastating time.”
Pushed by religion
Hagan wasn’t only a function mannequin on the soccer and baseball fields, however within the neighborhood, too. Aucilla Christian Athletic Director Willy Gamalero mentioned Hagan unfold like to these round him and was an inspiration to classmates.
“He was a type of youngsters that everybody cherished as a result of he cherished everyone,” Gamalero mentioned Monday. “I believe the legacy he will go away going by way of this powerful each day is simply love. He cherished so huge.”
Alongside being a caring particular person, many at Aucilla keep in mind Hagan for his sturdy religion and the way it helped him navigate life. Hagan was raised by his aunt and uncle, and struggled early on at school. Nonetheless, Hagan spoke of how Jesus Christ helped him discover a path and infrequently shared his story.
Hagain’s Fields of Religion testimony, which was given in late 2021 and has been seen greater than 14,000 instances on Aucilla Christian’s Fb web page, is one which many keep in mind fondly and preserve shut.
“He put a lot thought and energy into that by way of numerous papers and simply writing it,” Aucilla Christian head soccer coach and vice principal Colby Roberts mentioned. “The abstract of his considerations was I do not need it to be about me, I would like it to be about how Christ affected me.
“It is only a comforting message by way of it all, particularly now.”
Hagan carried that message with him. Even when he was not doing one thing immediately concerned with faith, he might all the time be seen carrying a “WWJD” bracelet. He was concerned in Aucilla’s youth group program and had a convincing influence on the church. In a Mass for Hagan Saturday night time, neighborhood members mentioned that it was standing room solely within the chapel.
“One of many belongings you see in that video is his love for Jesus and he wished individuals to know that he cherished Jesus and they need to too,” Gamalero mentioned.
Dedication to the staff
Hagan had two completely different, however sturdy impacts in athletics.
Hagan performed varsity soccer for the primary time in 2021, and he wished to contribute the place wanted. Resulting from accidents by season’s finish, Hagan fulfilled that aim. He moved from beginning fullback to the offensive line.
With a big youthful group inside the Aucilla soccer program, Roberts mentioned Hagan’s dedication to the staff impressed underclassmen.
Gamalero, additionally an assistant coach on the soccer staff, mentioned Hagan by no means wished to return off the sector and was a tough employee. Even when taking part in an unfamiliar place, he loved contributing and serving to teammates.
“He wished to get higher,” Gamalero mentioned. “He was a reasonably gifted athlete. He was sturdy, threw the ball exhausting, and was a tricky child. He will be missed this 12 months as a result of we have been already down and it is a huge blow to our baseball staff for positive.”
Hagan was extra achieved in baseball.
In response to Warriors head baseball coach Daryl Adams, Hagan was beginning to come into kind. He was hitting the ball tougher and was getting ready to step into a job as one of many staff’s major pitchers. Hagan was additionally one of many co-captains alongside senior Tripp Joyner.
“He is was all the time encouraging and all the time having fun with the laughter and comradery throughout stretching time,” Adams mentioned. “The children seemed as much as him. He all the time would mess around with them and hug them after they wanted it. He was optimistic after they weren’t doing so effectively.”
“For me, he was simply a type of youngsters you sit up for seeing. He all the time had a smile and was all the time respectful. He’d play any place you’d need him to. He’d get annoyed with himself when he made errors and that is what you wish to see as a coach as a result of it bothered him sufficient to work tougher.”
Remembering Dakota
Classmates, coaches, and family members honored Hagan and provided their condolences throughout social media platforms Sunday.
“Took these footage Wednesday after observe for his Senior banner for baseball. Requested him which one he wished….little did I do know that it might be the final image he would take,” Aucilla Christian athletic director and assistant baseball coach Willy Gamalero mentioned in a Fb put up.
” We had a dialog yesterday about life…He simply obtained a brand new truck..He was making use of for a job in my workplace yesterday…..He informed me he cherished me yesterday and I informed him the identical….Now he’s resting within the arms of Jesus! Koda….your testimony that Fields of religion night time will dwell without end within the hearts of many giving us nice hope of 1 candy day”
Hagan performed a key function for the baseball Warriors final season. He scored 21 runs on 16 hits and recorded 13 RBI. In soccer this previous season, he recorded 88 dashing yards, two dashing touchdowns, 50 receiving yards, one receiving landing, and one pressured fumble.
Fellow college students and athletes from Aucilla and the Huge Bend have shared Gamalero’s message on Instagram as effectively. The put up has gathered virtually 900 likes Sunday. Athletes have additionally left considerate messages on Instagram.
“You can be missed Dakota ❤️ we weren’t the closest of mates however we went by way of all of elementary are center faculty collectively. Relaxation in peace 🕊️🤍,” Aucilla classmate Taylor Nelson commented.
“Life is loopy I simply executed some work on this youngsters truck few months..he was wholesome as ox in my eyes. Couldn’t ask higher of child it was all the time sure sir or no sir.. save me a spot killa..prayers for his household,” Garrett Murphy posted on Fb
“Relaxation In Peace candy Angel, I’ll without end love you a skyfull! Your time was method too brief however gods obtained a purpose. Maintain it down, Till I see you once more Tink Tink,” Alexis Braswell posted on Fb.
The Aucilla boys basketball staff continues to be scheduled to play Wakulla Christian within the Class 2A District 2 quarterfinals at FAMU DRS at 6 p.m. Monday.
In response to Gamalero, Hagan wished to check out basketball however did not find yourself taking part in with the staff this season. He’s nonetheless listed on Aucilla Christian’s roster on MaxPreps.
Jack Williams covers prep sports activities for Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him through electronic mail at [email protected], on Twitter @jackgwilliams.