The University of Evansville community is mourning the death of cross country runner Bailey George, who passed away on Tuesday morning after a battle with cancer.

“Our whole team is in shock because we thought she was going to be okay,” UE cross country coach Don Walters said. “You cannot ask for a better person than what Bailey George was with academics, athletics and people. She was just a great person who will always be remembered.”

George was a junior runner with the Purple Aces and was majoring in exercise science in her time at Evansville. She was born in 1995 at Scott Air Force Base in Shiloh, Illinois, to Randy George and Shelise Zurliene.

“The thoughts and prayers of the entire University of Evansville community are with Bailey’s friends and family in these tough times,” UE Director of Athletics Mark Spencer said.