Incoming Penn State athlete shot to death in Philadelphia: police
Updated Aug 14, 10:38 PM; Posted Aug 14, 9:28 PM
Imhotep's Kristian Marche hauls in a pass against Harrisburg last season. Marche was headed to Penn State to run track, but he was shot to death Monday night in Philadelphia. (SEAN SIMMERS
blinder@pennlive.com
Kristian Marche was supposed to report to Penn State this week to begin his college track and field career, his high school coaches said.
The former Imhotep two-sport star will never get that chance.
Marche was shot to death on the 1800 Block of East Pastorious Street in North Philadelphia at 9:37 Monday night, an official with the Philadelphia Police Department told PennLive on Tuesday Night.
The official said Marche's death is "under investigation."
Marche was a brilliant sprinter, finishing second in the 100 at the PIAA state meet in 2017. He also suited up for the football team in the fall.
His death sparked an outpouring from coaches and athletes, and left Imhotep football coach Nick Lincoln stunned.
Imhotep's Kristian Marche, left, competes in the 100 meters at the PIAA track and field state championships in May. Marche was slated to run at Penn State, but police say he was shot to death in Philadelphia Monday night.
"I feel like he was the fastest kid in the state," Lincoln said. "He was a really intelligent kid that worked hard, and did what he needed to do to get where he needed to be."
Imhotep standout defensive back Tykee Smith remembered Marche as being "cool" and "funny."
"This is really tough," Smith said. "A lot of the guys on the team were really close with him. I know this is going to be hard for them."
Marche was listed in July as one of Penn State's 35 incoming track athletes.
His second-place finish in the 100 two years ago wasn't the only strong showing for the speedster. He was third in the state in the 100 in 2016, and finished fourth at the state meet earlier this year. He finished fourth in the 60 at the 2017 indoor state championships and was fifth in 2016.
He was a solid contributor in football. Marche averaged 7.1 yards per carry last season and scored three rushing touchdowns.
But, Tuesday, he was being remembered more for his personality than his athletic ability.
Imhotep assistant Cyril Woodland said Marche was "a great young man."
"He had a bright future," Woodland said. "There are just the circumstances we live in. It's crazy. I'm just speechless."
Updated Aug 14, 10:38 PM; Posted Aug 14, 9:28 PM
Imhotep's Kristian Marche hauls in a pass against Harrisburg last season. Marche was headed to Penn State to run track, but he was shot to death Monday night in Philadelphia. (SEAN SIMMERS
blinder@pennlive.com
Kristian Marche was supposed to report to Penn State this week to begin his college track and field career, his high school coaches said.
The former Imhotep two-sport star will never get that chance.
Marche was shot to death on the 1800 Block of East Pastorious Street in North Philadelphia at 9:37 Monday night, an official with the Philadelphia Police Department told PennLive on Tuesday Night.
The official said Marche's death is "under investigation."
Marche was a brilliant sprinter, finishing second in the 100 at the PIAA state meet in 2017. He also suited up for the football team in the fall.
His death sparked an outpouring from coaches and athletes, and left Imhotep football coach Nick Lincoln stunned.
Imhotep's Kristian Marche, left, competes in the 100 meters at the PIAA track and field state championships in May. Marche was slated to run at Penn State, but police say he was shot to death in Philadelphia Monday night.
"I feel like he was the fastest kid in the state," Lincoln said. "He was a really intelligent kid that worked hard, and did what he needed to do to get where he needed to be."
Imhotep standout defensive back Tykee Smith remembered Marche as being "cool" and "funny."
"This is really tough," Smith said. "A lot of the guys on the team were really close with him. I know this is going to be hard for them."
Marche was listed in July as one of Penn State's 35 incoming track athletes.
His second-place finish in the 100 two years ago wasn't the only strong showing for the speedster. He was third in the state in the 100 in 2016, and finished fourth at the state meet earlier this year. He finished fourth in the 60 at the 2017 indoor state championships and was fifth in 2016.
He was a solid contributor in football. Marche averaged 7.1 yards per carry last season and scored three rushing touchdowns.
But, Tuesday, he was being remembered more for his personality than his athletic ability.
Imhotep assistant Cyril Woodland said Marche was "a great young man."
"He had a bright future," Woodland said. "There are just the circumstances we live in. It's crazy. I'm just speechless."
