I have no idea if the following will become a big story in education, but it should.
Unfortunately it isn’t as exciting as a teacher dating a student, a death or one of the other tragic things that local news stations and newspapers want to cover about education on a daily basis.
But it does deserve a bigger audience then it will probably get.
I have always held the theory that good kids will almost always make the right choice if given the opportunity (which means if adults will stay out of the way).
The following article (from ESPN.com… my arch nemesis) tells a story of some young ladies who made a great decision. They could have easily just accepted what the judge decided, but they sacrificed their own glory and did what was right.
After winner DQ’d, rest of field shows gesture of sportsmanship
ESPN.com news services
May 24, 2008
Bellarmine Prep senior Nicole Cochran should have been celebrating her successful defense of the Class 4A girls 3,200-meter title at the Star Track XXVI meet, Washington’s state high school track and field championships.
Instead, there was controversy, a protest, and then — an ultimate act of generosity and sportsmanship.
Cochran, who is attending Harvard this fall, had crossed the finish line first with a personal-best time of 10 minutes, 36 seconds in Friday’s meet. But minutes later, according to the News Tribune of Tacoma, meet officials notified Bellarmine Prep’s coach, Matt Ellis, that Cochran was disqualified.
According to the News Tribune, officials ruled that Cochran had taken three consecutive steps on the inside line along the far curve on the next-to-last lap of the race, which is when she had made her move to take the lead and break free of the pack.
It is a violation that results in disqualification.
“There’s not really much I can do,” Cochran told the Tri-City Herald. “We tried to appeal it. It’s very unfortunate, but sometimes it’s what you get dealt.”
Shadle Park (Spokane) High School’s Andrea Nelson, who finished in 10:40.04, was declared the winner.
The awards ceremony took place, then Nelson got off the awards stand, walked over to Cochran, removed the first-place medal from around her neck and draped it over Cochran’s.
“It’s your medal,” Nelson said to her, the Tri-City Herald reported. “You’re the state champion.”
The rest of the top eight finishers then held an impromptu ceremony of their own. Exchanging their medals — Nelson received the second-place medal, Sarah Lord of Redmond High School took the third-place medal, and so on.
“That’s not how you win state,” Nelson said. “She totally deserves it. She crushed everybody.”
In making this decision, the girls may have had some guidance from their parents and coaches, but ultimately they were the ones who made the right choice.
Congratulations to the athletes, their parents, coaches, and schools.
And just because I used your article, ESPN.com, don’t think I am not still coming after you.
I am. Be afraid…very afraid.
Angie
on May 27th, 2008
@ 7:00 am:
Here’s another great story of sportsmanship (or should I say sportswomanship):
http://tampabay.com/sports/colleges/article481640.ece
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