COMPETE WITH CLASS MOMENT ON DISPLAY AT STATE TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Track runners want to be the first to the finish line, but sometimes those same athletes are the first to check on the health of their competitors.

Competing with Class is a sportsmanship initiative promoted by the New Mexico Activities Association.  The core values of respect, integrity, and responsibility play a big role in education-based athletics, and it comes in many forms.  We saw a Compete with Class moment in the final of the Boys Class 5A 110m Hurdles at the 2023 Western Sky Community Care State Track and Field Championships.

Alamogordo senior Zack Sell got tripped up on a falling hurdle at the end of the race and injured his lower left leg.  Immediately after crossing the finish line, Eldorado junior Darius Sullivan went back to check on Sell and make sure he was ok.  After Sullivan signaled for someone to get a trainer to help, Piedra Vista’s Spencer Womack came over to assist.  Moments later, Carlsbad’s Dane Naylor, Lorenzo Ibarra of Los Lunas, Cleveland’s Elijah Griego, and Robert Nora of Clovis all came to check on Sell as well.  Sullivan helped carry the injured Sell off the track.

Yes, athletes want to win. But those that compete with class know what’s important.