Ronan Guyer Still Fighting for Life After Cross Country Collapse

Southold freshman Ronan Guyer remains in a medically induced coma after collapsing this past Friday during a warm-up before the New York State Public High School Athletic Association cross country championships in Elma.

Ronan was one of a handful of Southold runners at a statewide meet near Buffalo. As of Wednesday morning, he remains in a medically induced coma after being revived from cardiac arrest and is still breathing on a ventilator at the Womens and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, according to Lisa Plaia, sister to Ronan’s mother, Lori Guyer.

Plaia said that at this point, the vital signs of Ronan’s body have stabilized but doctors are concerned about his brain.

“It’s a very complicated, delicate situation right now, and it’s just too early to say that we’re making progress,” Plaia said. “We just ask everyone that they don’t forget about Ronan or his family.”

Ronan had been familiarizing himself with the cross country course before the race when he slipped on a patch of mud, hitting the ground very hard with his chest, Plaia said.

“We suspect that it was the impact that caused the cardiac arrest,” she said, adding that Ronan did not have any history of heart problems. “Ronan is just a fabulous athlete. He played tennis, lacrosse, and he loved sailing. He was running cross country this year to stay in shape for sailing.”

Plaia, a resident of East Moriches, said that she is watching Ronan’s siblings, Colin and Shannon, while Ronan’s parents stay by his side at the hospital. She said Ronin’s father, Stephen, flew to Buffalo from FBI training in Virginia and his grandmother flew up from Florida.

“Everyone kind of flew in from everywhere, and it’s been very difficult and it’s going to be a long process,” Plaia said. “But we are a family of faith, and we appreciate everyone’s prayers for Ronan. Please keep him in your thoughts.”