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>> Thursday, September 22, 2011

From Yahoo Sports:

Runner carries injured foe half mile to help in middle of race
By Jonathan Wall

Josh Ripley didn't have to stop. Running in a recent cross country meet for Andover (Minn.) High, the junior varsity runner was making his way through the trail at the Applejack Invite when he heard a loud scream during the first mile of a two-mile race. Most of the other kids running didn't pay much attention to Lakeville South runner Mark Paulauskas, who was writhing in pain at the time, as they passed by.


Josh Ripley

The only person who decided to pay attention was Ripley. As an Anoka-Hennepin school district release reported, Ripley immediately noticed Paulauskas holding his bloody ankle. Then, instead of running back and calling for help, he did the only thing he could think of: He carried the injured runner a half mile back to coaches and family members.

"I didn't think about my race, I knew I needed to stop and help him," Ripley said in the school district release. "It was something I would expect my other teammates to do. I'm nothing special; I was just in the right place at the right time."

It was a good thing Ripley had the foresight to carry Paulauskas so he could be rushed to the emergency room. When Paulauskas arrived at the hospital, doctors realized he had been accidentally spiked by another runner's shoe during the race. The injury required 20 stitches and a walking boot to keep the wounded area from opening up.

Andover cross country coach Scott Clark couldn't believe what he heard when word got to him that Ripley was carrying another runner back to the starting line.

"Then Josh comes jogging into view carrying a runner," Clark said. "I noticed the blood on the runner's ankle as Josh handed him off to one of the coaches from Lakeville. Josh was tired and you could tell his focus was off as he started back on the course."

.........

The story goes on to say that Josh turned back around and essentially started his race over again. He finish his race (obviously much slower than most everyone else) and went on his way.

It's good to see a local good deed make national news. Way to go, Josh!

UPDATE: I just saw this story on the local news, and it turns out the cut was pretty bad. They could see bone! So this kid NEEDED someone to carry him back to get help right away!

9 comments:

Alecia@tincantreader 2:36 PM, September 22, 2011  

I saw that in the news this morning. What a great kid.

A World of Gratitude 3:07 PM, September 22, 2011  

I read that at the end of the school day, and thought about forwarding or printing it for our track teams.

Thanks for sharing it here, and Congrats to Josh!

Jess 4:04 PM, September 22, 2011  

I read that earlier today! What a great story!

Unknown 5:10 PM, September 22, 2011  

I saw the article too. What a great young man!

Unknown 5:19 PM, September 22, 2011  

Nice to know there are still kids with heart out there. :-)

Rachel Elizabeth 7:56 PM, September 22, 2011  

Makes me proud to be a Husky! :)

Anonymous,  8:48 AM, September 23, 2011  

Kudos to the kid -- and to his parents for raising him right.

E-Speed 12:38 PM, September 23, 2011  

Yay for the kid who put others safety before his race! I would hope we all would do the same :)

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