Mountain Lake High School (Minn.) senior Liana Blomgren was about to cross the finish line at a sectional cross country race that served as a state qualifier when she saw a competitor — eighth grader Gracie Bucher — collapsed on the ground and struggling to continue. While people in the crowd watched on from behind the ropes, Blomgren stopped her own race, helped Bucher to her feet, and dragged her across the finish line.
“I knew she wasn’t going to get to the finish line by herself and I knew that she needed somebody and nobody else was there for her,” Liana says.
Liana bent down and pulled Gracie to her feet, then supported her weight as the competitors crossed the finish line together.
Gracie doesn’t remember much about the end of her race, but will never forget Liana telling her, “You’re with me, I’ve got you.
Blomgren’s decision to aid a competitor ended up getting her disqualified in her final race, as athletes are not allowed to assist other runners during a race in any way.