GALION, Ohio — A middle school student on track for her personal best in a cross-country race stopped to help a struggling runner from another team — and both ended up being disqualified.
Makenna Finnegan, 12, a student at Shelby Middle School in Shelby, Ohio, came upon another runner, Elaine Hohman, 13, of Donnell Middle School in Findlay, Ohio, clutching her stomach during the Galion Cross Country Festival on Sept. 19 in Galion, about 60 miles north of Columbus, Ohio. They had about a half mile remaining in the two-mile race.
"I basically came upon her and I didn't know what was wrong at first, so I asked what was wrong," Makenna said.
Elaine told Makenna that she had a bad cramp in her stomach.
"She was about to stop," Makenna said. "So I grabbed her hand, and we kept running."
Makenna's mom, Kimberly Finnegan, said she received a message of gratitude from Elaine's mom, Barbara Boone-Hohman, who is coach of the Donnell team. Finnegan wasn't able to attend the event and learned about it when the competitor's mother told her of Makenna's kindness.
The girls finished the race hand in hand but were disqualified because holding hands is considered blocking, said Steve Clark, coach of the Shelby team.
"It was just really good sportsmanship," said Sarah Whitesel of Lexington, Ohio, who didn't know either of the girls. "It was like the best finish of the day even though it didn't count."
Makenna said she stopped because she empathized with Elaine and would stop again — even if she knew she would be disqualified.
"I've experienced cramps, Makenna said. "And I've watched as other people have that happen, and no one has really stopped at all to help."
For her, running cross country is not about winning. It's about finishing the race and helping others do the same.
"It's just Kenna being Kenna," Clark said, adding that he's proud to have girls like her on his team.
