IOWA — An Iowa cross country runner won a big race this week, but he won't get credit for it. The winner was disqualified for what many would say was an act of good sportsmanship.
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Zach Hougland was poised to become his county's first ever district cross country champion as he crossed the finish line. As he celebrated with his coach, he watched the other runners approaching the end of the race. One of them fell and appeared to Zach to be in need of medical help. He rushed over and heaved his competitor's arm around his shoulder and helped him about 8 of the final 15 meters. Then he told the other runner that "you can make it" and shoved him through the finish line. The other runner's mother said that Zach was her "hero" as her son recovered.
Then he was disqualified.
Regulations state that any athlete who receives or gives assistance to another runner in the same race is disqualified. Officials said that while it was sportsmanlike to help someone in distress, it remains a violation of the rules.
The rest of his team scored well enough to finish third overall, and to qualify for the state finals, so Zach will run again this Saturday.
WPXI
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