NORTH ANDOVER — North Andover High School student-athlete Alex Farese, 17, died yesterday at Tufts Medical Center in Boston one week after he collapsed during a track meet.

Alex, a co-captain of the track team, remained unconscious and in critical condition throughout the week. He died in the morning, his aunt Sandy Grifoni said last night.

He was the fourth of Roseanne and Rich Farese's six children. He had been accepted at two prestigious colleges and planned to major in chemical engineering.

Dozens of friends and family members gathered at the Fareses' Bruin Hill Road home last night. Through tears and hugs, they remembered Alex.

"He was just an amazing human being, such a hard worker," Grifoni said.

Eric Farese, 23, described his younger brother as a role model to many people.

"Including his older brother," he said last night.

Grifoni thanked the community for its outpouring of support during the difficult time for the family.

"We just want to thank everyone for everything. We appreciate all the thoughts and prayers," Grifoni said. Friends and neighbors dropped off food daily at the Farese home. Cards and e-mails poured in to the family.

Alex collapsed after running a 400-meter event at the high school. He had no previous heart or fainting problems. An abormal rhythm may have caused Alex's heart to stop beating, his mother had said last week.

"He was just a great kid. You couldn't ask for a better kid. He did everything right," said high school senior Sean McManus, one of Farese's friends.

Alex was a kid who "poured his heart and soul into everything he did," said Steve Nugent, track coach.

"I, along with everyone else in the community, am truly heartbroken," said Nugent, who is also a high school guidance counselor.

North Andover High School will be open all week, despite school vacation. Teachers, guidance and grief counselors will all be available.

"For any student or staff member who feels the need to come in," said high school Principal Carla Scuzzarella. She described Alex as a quiet young man who was a great leader and a good example to other students.

"This is going to be a very tough time for us as a school community," Scuzzarella said. "We will be there for whatever the kids need."

About 50 students gathered Sunday night for a candlelight vigil for Alex. They stood on the track in the spot where Alex collapsed and prayed for him.

"Everyone is just in absolute shock," McManus said. "He worked hard in the classroom and in athletics. Everyone can learn something from him."

"It really hurts," McManus added.

Nugent recalled Alex's drive in the 400-meter event, a track competition considered an "all out sprint."

"When Alex ran, he used every fiber of bone and muscle. You knew he was running hard," Nugent said. "He was not a complainer. He did whatever he could to help his teammates."

Scuzzarella said today will be a very important time for students and staff to gather and remember Alex. Every kid is different, and everyone handles grief differently, she noted. School leaders will be taking their cues from students.

"The most important thing is for the adults they are close to to be supportive," she said.

The school community will be there for Alex's family and friends "for as long and often as they need us," Scuzzarella said.

Alex was accepted to Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. He hadn't decided where to go.

Several hundred people filled St. Michael Church Thursday night to pray for Alex.

Wake and funeral arrangements were incomplete last night.