Ellie Gay-Killeen
(Newbury MA) I went to an important cross country meet today between two of the area’s top teams (Triton and Newburyport) but came away marveling at the wonderful actions of one of the participants.
The grandparent in me said, “What she did is role model material. Write about it and later do a separate entry on the running results.” And so I will.
The temperatures were in the 80’s at Old Town Hill in Newbury where Wednesday afternoon’s meet was held.
“It seems as if every time we run this season, it’s been hot, but it doesn’t make it any easier doing it,” said Clippers coach Don Hennigar afterwards.
Most of the Cape Ann League courses are in the woods where, even on a hot day, it’s shady.
So the heat was on. It would have negative effects on many of the participants.
For Newburyport senior Katherine Sheehy the heat turned nightmarish and down she went about fifty yards from the end of the 3.1 mile race.
There were adults quickly on the scene and medical help was soon there. But beyond that there came a runner from Triton.
I wanted to talk to that runner because she had minutes before won the girls’ race. But she wouldn’t leave the side of a Newburyport girl stretched out near the finish line.
I then assumed that the Newburyport girl was a friend of hers. After all there is plenty of interaction between the teams.
Finally an ambulance arrived and the Newburyport runner was lifted to the ambulance with the Triton runner on hand making sure that the Newburyport girl was taken care of.
A few minutes later I was able to talk to the Triton runner (Ellie Gay-Killeen) about what had happened. This is what she told me: “I didn’t really know the girl very well, but I’ve known her from track. I think her name is Katherine (Sheehy). I would always try to help someone in that situation. It’s good sportsmanship. Seeing a girl down for forty-five minutes makes my heart throb. I stuck with her the whole time to make sure she was okay. I don’t know her well but she’s a talented athlete. Seeing her collapse before the finish line meant she was obviously hurting, so I had to do something. Someone said that I shouldn’t touch her, or I’d be disqualified but I didn’t care. She needed help, so I ran over and helped her.”
Remarkable stuff from a high school freshman, don’t you think? The young lady is already the kind of caring person you must admire. I’m quite sure that most of you parents and grandparents out there would agree with that.
Ellie Gay-Killeen – Thanks for exhibiting such care and kindness. You are indeed a good role model.
McClelland Miscellanea 