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Teen Dies At N.C. College

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By RICHARD GOULD and RAY REYES

Hickory (N.C.) Daily Record The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 20, 2008

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  Harrison Kowiak

A 19-year-old Tampa sophomore attending college in North Carolina has died from what appears to be an accidental head injury, authorities say. Detectives on Wednesday continued to investigate what led to the death of Harrison Kowiak on Monday, said Catawba County Sheriff David Huffman. Kowiak attended Lenoir-Rhyne University, a small Lutheran college in Hickory, N.C.

"We're interviewing students and trying to understand what happened," Huffman said. "At this point, we're just treating it as an accidental death off-campus."

Witness statements were somewhat contradictory on how Kowiak was hurt, Huffman said. Investigators were told Kowiak was playing flag football, tackle football or basketball.

David Gardner Tweed, the Kowiaks' family pastor, said he was told Kowiak was tossing a ball with friends when "apparently he landed wrong and hit his head on the concrete."

Kowiak was taken to a hospital in Charlotte, N.C. on Monday, Huffman said. The sheriff's office was informed of the student's death Tuesday. Huffman said detectives are expecting medical information from the hospital this week.

"Hopefully we can get some good, concise information," he said. "It would surprise me if it was anything but an accident."

Kowiak is a graduate of Wharton High School in New Tampa. He was a scholarship player on Lenoir-Rhyne's golf team, university spokesman Mike Langford said.

More than 250 students attended a candlelight vigil at the university Tuesday night, Langford said. A memorial was planned for today on the campus.

News Channel 8 reporter Samara Sodos contributed to this report. Reporter Ray Reyes can be reached at (813) 259-7920 or rreyes@tampatrib.com.

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