Petz, sister of Argos athletes, daughter of assistant coach, dies at 13

BY VAL TSOUTSOURIS

Sports Editor, RTC

Sophie Petz, the younger sister of Argos student-athletes Ethan and Ioan Petz and the daughter of Argos boys soccer assistant coach Andy Petz, died April 1. She was 13.

Petz had been diagnosed with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), a type of pediatric brain cancer that forms in the brain stem, according to the National Institutes of Health website.

Ioan Petz is a sophomore on the baseball team at Argos, and the team had paid vigil to Sophie, starting fundraisers to help the family defray the costs of meals and putting the initials “S.P.” in chalk behind home plate and behind the pitching mound at the school’s baseball field.Ioan, a sophomore, had not played in a game yet this spring.

“Sophie’s personality was a beautiful blend of spunk, determination and compassion,” a published obituary said. “She possessed an unwavering spirit, always knowing what she wanted and fearlessly pursuing her passions including volleyball, soccer, colorguard and musicals.”

Her faith also received prominent mention in her obituary.

“She was a beacon of strength and positivity with her unwavering faith in Jesus and her profound belief in the goodness of God which served as an inspiration to all who knew her,” the obituary said. “Sophie was a cherished member of Crossroads Church. Sophie leaves behind a legacy of love and fun that will forever echo in the hearts of those she touched.”

Ethan Petz, a junior, led the Argos boys soccer team that won the sectional and reached the regional final this fall with six goals.

Andy Petz was a member of the coaching staff that included head coach Todd VanDerWeele and assistants Damon Binkley and Joe Kindig. Kindig is also the baseball coach at Argos.

Sophie Petz is also survived by her mother Amy and siblings Ariana, Lillian and Katie as well as grandparents Michael and Amy Petz and Jeff and Janice Hartley and great-grandparents Don and Donna Carpenter and Russ and Joyce Hartley.

The family asked that memorial contributions be made to The Cure Starts Now, an organization dedicated to finding a cure for pediatric brain cancer.