Results: Punished for Good Sportsmanship
Published on 11/08/2015
QUESTIONS
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Comments
1.
1.
Did you hear about the student runner who was disqualified after helping a rival? Yes
12%
182 votes
No
78%
1210 votes
Undecided
3%
49 votes
Not Applicable
7%
107 votes
2.
2.
Seventeen-year-old Zachary Hougland had just won the district championship in cross country racing for his high school in Iowa when he saw Gary Hinson, a student from a rival school, collapse. Zachary waited, and even called out, asking - "Is anyone going to help him?" When no one did, Zachary walked back over, lifted Gary up, and helped him across the finish line. Do you think you would have done the same thing? Yes
54%
834 votes
No
10%
153 votes
Undecided
24%
371 votes
Not Applicable
12%
190 votes
3.
3.
While Houglund was just trying to help, apparently he was in violation of the rules. Iowa schools follow the National Federation of Stage High School Association rules. For example: "NFHS rules do not allow a competitor to receive or give assistance from or to another competitor during a race," he said. "If a competitor receives or gives assistance, that competitor is disqualified from the event." Due to this, Houglund was stripped of the title he had just won. Do you think this is fair? Yes, it seems like a clear violation of the rules.
9%
146 votes
No, I don't think helping someone who had fallen down is what is meant by these rules.
62%
955 votes
I'm not sure.
14%
220 votes
n/a
14%
218 votes
Other (please specify)
1%
9 votes
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| it is a violation of the rules, but i find it unfair. | 0.06% | 1 |
| shouldn't be the case | 0.06% | 1 |
| should of got heroism | 0.06% | 1 |
| e | 0.06% | 1 |
| 0.06% | 1 | |
| i feel the nfhs should be ashamed of their ruling. i feel zachary should be proud and know that regardless he won fairly and if i was hinson i would make zach a gold medal or trophy and present it to him for his kindness. | 0.06% | 1 |
| this world is "pitiful"!!!! | 0.06% | 1 |
| win or not he did the right thing, god bless him | 0.06% | 1 |
| rules applied for the games, shall stand for , however, houglund is a hero, he lost that game title, won a tile of hero, won having a warm heart person caring for other, he won the title more than just a game, yes, he is being honored. | 0.06% | 1 |
4.
4.
Hougland is a senior, so this was his last chance to compete at the state level. He may compete with his team, since they qualified. But not as an individual. Do you think that student athletes, in general, have a good grasp of what the rules for their sport are? Yes, I'm sure the coaches make sure of it.
16%
252 votes
I'm sure they know the basics, but not all of them.
35%
540 votes
I doubt they know any of the rules.
12%
179 votes
I don't know
22%
340 votes
n/a
15%
233 votes
Other (please specify)
0%
4 votes
| Other Answers | Percentage | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| 0.13% | 2 | |
| how old are these rules? maybe its time to put a vote to those involved in the race that day and honor zach the way it should be. | 0.06% | 1 |
| in this case assisting another no matter the team they are part of should be honored, not disqualified. | 0.06% | 1 |
5.
5.
Would you risk an athletic title to help someone that was hurt? Absolutely, no matter who it was.
47%
731 votes
Only if they were on my team.
7%
104 votes
No way!
6%
86 votes
I'm not sure.
25%
394 votes
n/a
15%
233 votes
COMMENTS