San Bernardino Soccer Team Mourns Young Player's Sudden Death

12-year-old Adriel Enriquez collapsed during practice, sparking calls for better cardiac screening for young athletes.

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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The Empire Strykers soccer team and the San Bernardino community are grieving the unexpected death of 12-year-old Adriel Enriquez, who collapsed and went into cardiac arrest during a practice session last week. Adriel's coach described the tragedy as 'completely caught us all off guard,' as the young player had no known medical issues. The incident has reignited discussions about the prevalence and prevention of sudden cardiac events among youth athletes.

Why it matters

While rare, sudden cardiac arrest is one of the most common causes of death in young athletes. This tragedy highlights the importance of proactive medical screening, awareness of family health history, and the need for a supportive community network when these devastating events occur.

The details

Adriel Enriquez reportedly told teammates he was having trouble breathing before collapsing and going into cardiac arrest. His family stated he had no known medical issues. Coach Garrett Blume, a former professional soccer player, emphasized Adriel's positive impact, saying 'He's one of the reasons why I started coaching... just kids like him that... just place their head down. Function super hard, sweet, respectful and just, he's always looking out for other people.'

  • Adriel Enriquez collapsed and went into cardiac arrest during a practice session last week.

The players

Adriel Enriquez

A 12-year-old soccer player for the Empire Strykers who tragically died during a practice session.

Garrett Blume

The coach of the Empire Strykers soccer team, who described Adriel as a positive influence on the team.

Dr. Ilam Shapiro

A pediatrician who noted that cardiac arrest events, while rare, are 'one of the most common things that finish up actually hitting our kids.'

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What they’re saying

“He's one of the reasons why I started coaching... just kids like him that... just place their head down. Function super hard, sweet, respectful and just, he's always looking out for other people.”

— Garrett Blume, Coach, Empire Strykers soccer team (newsy-today.com)

“Cardiac arrest events, while rare, are 'one of the most common things that finish up actually hitting our kids.”

— Dr. Ilam Shapiro, Pediatrician (newsy-today.com)

What’s next

The soccer community has pledged support for the Enriquez family during this difficult time. Doctors and experts are emphasizing the importance of proactive medical screening and awareness of family health history to help prevent future tragedies.

The takeaway

This heartbreaking incident underscores the need for greater awareness and preventative measures to protect young athletes from sudden cardiac events. By working together as a community and prioritizing early detection, we can help ensure the safety and well-being of our youth sports participants.