TEMPE, AZ -- Classmates at Corona Del Sol High School are in shock over the untimely death of their friend 17 year old Alexis Fanco.

Peter Wieging coached Alexis over the past 10 years. He literally watched her grow up.

"Her smile is something that just filled the room and really made you feel warm."

Alexis came to the gym Monday night for her weekly tumbling class. The group had just started warming up.

"Next thing I knew someone ran out and said she had collapsed. So I ran out to see what I could and another one of our co-workers was already administering CPR".

Coaches say Alexis suffered an asthma attack. Paramedics rushed her to the hospital but doctors pronounced her dead several hours later.

It is being described as a very rare occurrence.

Alexis was a varsity cheerleader at Corona Del Sol. Her asthma was never a problem.

The gym was like a home away from home for Alexis, she was even training to become a coach.