Runner's kind act gets national honor

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ohio (WDTN) - It was the moment that answered the question: How do you finish last but still come out a winner?

"It's inspiring," is how Jim Thompson with the Positive Coaching Alliance describes it.

West Liberty Salem's Meghan Vogel was just trying to finish the 3200 meter race at the state track meet when it happened.

Another runner, Arden McMath from Arlington High School, collapsed.

What Meghan did next not only lifted up another runner but has now lifted up the entire sports world. She helped Arden across the finish line.

"We wanted to find example of athletes, coaches, and teams that we want other people to emulate," Thompson says.

That's why Liberty Mutual Insurance, the Positive Coaching Alliance, and other partner organizations picked Meghan's act as one of the Top 10 Responsible Sports Moments of 2012.

"She could have run right by her and nobody would have criticized her but she had an opportunity to elevate the game and she helped Arden," Thompson says.

This is the second year the groups have teamed up to pick a Top 10.

The hope is others across the country will celebrate moments like Meghan's as much as they celebrate victories.

"They talk to their kid and say, 'This is what happened at this track meet in Ohio,'" Thompson says.

What also happened at that track meet is that Meghan won the 1600 meters before the 3200 meter race.

She was the first girl from the West Liberty-Salem track team to win a title in more than 20 years.

It's something she'll never forget, but for others it was her second race that will forever mark her as a champion.

"I think looking back on it we're going to remember Meghan Vogel more for that action than being the state champion in the 1600 meters," Thompson says.

To see the entire Top 10 list, click here .

For the honor, Meghan will get $1,000 for the organization she represents.