Teen Water Polo Player Dies of Apparent Heart Attack

A 14-year-old water polo player at Newport Harbor High School died after suffering an apparent heart attack during practice Thursday.

Gray Lunde of Costa Mesa was taken by paramedics to Hoag Memorial Hospital and arrived at the emergency care unit in full cardiopulmonary arrest at 2:58 p.m, according to a hospital spokeswoman. He died at 4:40 p.m.

Lunde, a freshman, had been participating in a freshman-sophomore team practice when he collapsed after climbing out of the pool.

“It was right at start of frosh-soph practice they were just starting to work out,” said Gary Dietz, a father of two team members. “My son Clint was with him. Gray said he didn’t feel good and was dizzy. He started to get out of the pool and he collapsed.”

The probable cause of death is a congenital heart defect, said Maureen Mazzatenta, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian spokeswoman. An autopsy will be performed.

Graham Harvey, a senior on the Newport Harbor varsity, said Lunde had a seizure on the pool deck “a couple of weeks ago. We knew there was a previous problem. But it was awful.”

Harvey was driving to the varsity practice with Cole Lunde, Gray’s older brother, when they saw teammates driving in the opposite direction. They arrived at the pool and learned of Gray’s condition, and followed numerous teammates to the hospital.

Newport Harbor’s scheduled nonleague game against Foothill today has been canceled because of Lunde’s death.

Instead of mourning his death, Gray Lunde’s family said they intend to celebrate his life.

Friends and relatives will celebrate Gray Lunde’s birthdate on Wednesday, when the water polo player would have been 15. The service will be held at 4 p.m. at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church of Newport Beach. The public is welcome.

Robert Lunde, the boy’s father, said the family will grapple with the tragedy by relying on their faith and focusing on the joy that Gray Lunde brought to those who knew him.

“It’s a tremendous tragedy for our family. He was just a little jewel of a kid. A great athlete, very popular. A lot of people really cared for him.”