Zach Hougland thought he was doing the right thing. The senior accomplished a four-year dream in becoming Davis County High School's first-ever district champion.
Nearly five minutes after he broke the tape, he noticed another runner - Garrett Hinson of Mediapolis - struggling to finish the race.
Hougland back onto the course about 15 meters from the finish line and aided him through seven meters.
"I knew I couldn't help him finish so I just gave him a push and told him you can do it," Hougland said.
The move, however, resulted in the disqualification of both athletes.
A statement from Bud Legg with the Iowa High School Athletic Association read,"An athlete who receives or gives assistance to another runner in the same race is disqualified. While it was a sportsmanlike act to help someone in distress it remained a violation and the official had no choice but to enforce the rule."
According to WHOtv, Hougland replied, "If I could do it all again I wouldn't change a thing because I did what I thought was right."
Hougland will be allowed to race at the Iowa state meet as his team placed third overall and will advance to the championship.
Photo courtesy of Davis County Cross Country