A 13-year-old Kentucky cheerleader who died of a disease contracted at a competition had "an underlying streptococcal infection," says her family

A Kentucky cheerleader, who died after being sick at a cheerleading competition in February, had an underlying strep infection, said her family.

Lilliana Schalck, a Highlands Middle School student, complained on February 23 to feel ill at a cheerleader competition in Columbus, Ohio. She was taken to a nearby hospital where she died. The 13-year-old was taken to the National Children's Hospital. A few hours later, the teenager was dead.

The family said in a statement that Schalck had an "underlying Strep infection," reported Fox 19.

CHEERLEADER KENTUCKY DIES AFTER AVOIDING COMPETITION

"Apparently, an underlying Strep infection has overwhelmed his immune system with little or no warning and catastrophic results," said the family in a statement, according to FOX 19.

"We knew this report was coming and we honestly have mixed feelings about it," the Schalck family said in a statement. "On the one hand, it does not change anything for us. But, on the other hand, we would not wish this nightmare to anyone and maybe this report could help prevent a similar outcome for someone else. Lilliana would surely help if she could, and this is just an extension of that spirit. "

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The teenager's father, Dan Schalk, said his daughter had been treated for a strep infection a few years ago. He said the doctors had told them that his daughter was "the image of health".

Fox News's Alexandra Hein contributed to this report.