Thank you Meghan Vogel.

Vogel is the long-distance runner who took a gold medal in sportsmanship at the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s state track meet. …

Vogel, a junior from West Liberty-Salem High School in Logan County, had won the 1,600-meter state title earlier in the day. However, her last event of the tournament saw her struggling to finish and in last place as she entered the final turn of the 3,200-meter run at Jessie Owens Memorial Stadium in Columbus. That’s when Vogel came upon Arden McMath, a sophomore from Arlington High School.

McMath also was struggling and collapsed to the ground just as Vogel was approaching her. Vogel could have run past McMath to avoid the last-place finish, but instead she stopped, picked McMath up, put McMath’s arm around her shoulders and half-carried, half-dragged her the last 20 meters. When Vogel got to the finish line, she pushed McMath ahead so that McMath wouldn’t finish in last place. …

If anyone ever questions the value of high school athletics, please remember to tell them the story about Meghan Vogel. The same thing holds true if someone starts yakking about how terrible today’s youth are. …

That unselfish act of sportsmanship will be remembered much longer than a state title. …

The Lima News