Riverton High Runner Helps Injured Teammate To The Finish At Utah XC Championships


Video by Twitter user @OriginalC_Rod

You won't find their names in the official results. Both runners were disqualified for the action. 

But this act of friendship, camaraderie, and sportsmanship is one that didn't go unnoticed by those in the stands on Wednesday, along with coaches, runners, and officials. 

Finishing in the Class 6A cross country championships at Sugarhouse Park in Salt Lake City, Utah, Sean Rausch saw a fellow Riverton (UT) teammate down just 100 meters from the finish. 

Blake Lewis had reportedly broken his tibia. 

So Rausch did the only thing that could think of in that moment.  

He picked up his teammate, threw him over his shoulders, and piggy-backed him all the way to the finish, stopping just inches shy of the line so that Lewis could finish himself. 

The pair, the No. 6 and No. 7 runners on Riverton's third-place team, were DQ'ed for the effort. 

But in a sport as physical and demanding as cross country, this was the appropriate response.

Check out the video above of the special moment.