Family, friends remember Charlotte teen and standout athlete who drowned in Lake Norman

Family, friends and teammates are remembering a Charlotte high school student athlete who drowned in Lake Norman on Saturday.

After a day-long search for a missing boater, 16-year-old Keith Austin, a student at South Mecklenburg High School, was found Sunday afternoon, The Charlotte Observer previously reported.

While officials haven’t formally released the name of the missing boater, coaches and close friends confirmed to The Observer staff that Austin was the victim.

Austin is said to have jumped off a boat with friends at the lake, according to WSOC-TV.

First responders began their search Saturday night, but his body wasn’t found until Sunday afternoon, as teams from Cornelius and Sherrills Ford endured “extremely rough lake conditions and brutal temperatures” looking for him.

The investigation, led by Cornelius police and the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, is still underway.

Meanwhile, family, friends and other loved ones are grieving the loss of the teenager who impacted many. Rick Norvell, head coach of the South Mecklenburg High School rugby team, said he has known Austin since he was a little boy and had guided him in both coaching and as a mentor.

“Just a genuine kid, athlete, student,” Norvell told The Observer. “He was inviting to everybody, super smart and that work ethic — I mean, (that) kid would just head down and work.”

Coaches and close friends of Austin, who was a rising junior, say he was very involved on campus, playing both football and rugby as an honor roll student.

“He was the total package in terms of a player and a really good student on top of that,” Norvell added. “Any coach loved Keith. Smart, athletic and a team guy...that’s everything you want in an athlete.”

The school rugby team posted a tribute on social media describing Austin as one of most dynamic athletes to ever walk the pitch.

“As a teammate, he meant a lot to a lot of people as a leader and a role model,” Allan Diminich, one of Austin’s teammates and another close friend said.

Loved ones say Austin left a mark on many people on and off the field.

“He was kind and sweet to everybody,” Messiah Sarratt, another one of Austin’s closest friends said. “Even if he didn’t know you, he was sweet, polite and showed a lot of respect.”

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help his family pay for funeral expenses, which has already surpassed the original goal of $25,000.

Coaches and school officials are planning a memorial for Austin this weekend, along with other tributes set to be carried out over the next few years.

“I think it’s going to help the kids heal, by having that memorial,” Norvell said. “I’m struggling with how to process this…and I don’t know what to say. If it’s hard for me, I know it’s hard for them.”

Next year, he said the rugby team’s entire backline will wear no. 11 in honor of Austin’s former rugby position. The following year, what would’ve been Austin’s senior year, his jersey number will be retired.

“We’re retiring 11, which is very against protocol because you’re supposed to have the proper numbers on the guys,” Norvell said.

In rugby, Norvell explained that each number correlates to a certain position on the field. So once Austin’s jersey number is retired, the person playing no. 11 will wear no. 12 and so on for the designated positions left.

“Just keep honoring him…that’s what we’re doing until we graduate and even after we graduate,” Diminich said.

South Mecklenburg High School is offering counseling to anyone who needs it. School officials have shared a brief message with families:

“We are heartbroken by this loss of life, and we grieve with the student’s family and friends,” an email statement said. “ ... our condolences go out to the student’s family, and we ask that you keep them in your thoughts as well.”

Details for a funeral have not been announced yet, but a memorial for Austin will be held Saturday at South Mecklenburg High School gym at 5 p.m.