Meghan Vogel, a junior at West Liberty-Salem High School in Ohio, received cheers and congratulations when she broke the 5-minute-mile mark to take first in the 1,600 meters at the Division III girls meet last week, the Springfield News-Sun reported.
But she saved her true heroics for the grueling 3,200 meter race.
Vogel was only feet from the finish line when she saw an Arlington High School competitor, Arden McMath, on the ground, stricken with cramps.
Instead of running past to finish the race, Vogel picked her up and helped carry her rival to the finish line.
“Helping her across the finish line was a lot more satisfying than winning the state championship,” she told the newspaper.
The generous act was caught on video, which shows the high schoolers limping towards the finish line.
They received a standing ovation.
“What a selfless act,” Arlington coach Paul Hunter told the newspaper. “She could have just gone around Arden. But she chose to help. I’ve never seen that at a state meet. That’s real sportsmanship.”
While both competitors should have technically been disqualified, the meet organizers ignored the official rules.
In the official standings, Vogel finished 15th. McMath came in 14th, after a push from Vogel.
“She was in front of me the whole race, so she deserved to finish in front of me no matter what it took,” Vogel said on Fox and Friends.
On Monday, Vogel told the News-Sun she was humbled by the influx of well-wishes and support she received after her story spread nationwide.
“It’s overwhelming and humbling at the same time,” she told the newspaper. “People are telling me I’m a role model for their children. I’m very honored.”
She said she believed anyone on the track would have done the same thing.
“Distance runners take care of their own,” she said.
