September 26, 2011

Winning Isn't Always Everything

Happy Monday! Come on, something nice must have happened to you over the weekend. Or did you do something nice for someone else?? It doesn't have to be something heroic or spectacular. No newspapers probably reported on it, and other people might not have even noticed. But knowing how good the world can be, I have a feeling you might have a story to share. So please do, and help me make this site successful and reach as many people as it can.


Just goes to show you that winning isn't always everything.

Spectators at a recent cross country meet for Andover High in Minnesota saw an act of bravery and compassion by a student that rivaled heroic qualities of many adults twice his age. Josh, a member of the junior varsity team, was running along the mapped out route when he heard a loud scream. It was during the first mile of the two-mile race that runner Mark, from competing school Lakeville South,  badly injured his ankle and had dropped to the ground writhing in pain. As you could imagine, most of the other runners didn't pay much attention to the injured student, and were more worried about their race.

But not Josh. He knew he couldn't just keep going and let Mark be out there on the trail in that condition. So he headed back a bit to find the runner. Instead of running for help, Josh reacted as quickly as he could. He scooped up Mark and carried the injured runner a half a mile back to the starting line where coaches and parents were lined up.

Josh said that it was "just natural instinct. I didn't think about my race, I knew I needed to stop and help him."

Turns out that Mark's injuries were more than just a twisted ankle. He had been 'spiked' as someone stepped on the back of his foot with metal running cleats. The trauma punctured Mark's Achilles heel and he was taken to the hospital for stitches and a brace to immobilize the area.

What a selfless and compassionate act...by a junior in high school. Someone that we usually write off of being capable of something like this because of his age.

And want to know the best part of it all?

After he dropped Mark off, Josh regained his composure at the starting line, began running again and finished the race. Talk about a caring and honorable team mate.


First reported by a Anoka-Hennepin school district press release.

4 comments:

  1. I had read this last week and was inspired by it, thanks for sharing.

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  2. A very touching story! Josh is a true winner with his heroic act. :-)

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  3. that's a lovely story. i had an annoying house guest this weekend and i'm not sure i was on my best behaviour...

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  4. Ow, that just sounds, painful...

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