In a remarkable display of sportsmanship, sisters Shalom and Ruth Boomershine, who compete for the Benton Bucks homeschool cross country team, demonstrated their compassion by assisting a fellow competitor during a challenging race at Ox Bow Park on August 25. Their actions not only highlight their character but also emphasize the supportive nature of the cross country community.
The incident occurred during a meet that included teams from Concord, Elkhart Christian Academy, and other homeschool squads. As the race progressed, Ruth, a sophomore, was running behind senior Kylee Anglemyer from Concord when she witnessed Anglemyer collapse around the 2.5-mile mark of the 3.1-mile course.
Despite not feeling her best that day, Ruth instinctively stopped to help Anglemyer, who was in distress. "She fell right in front of me, and I stopped to stay with her while someone else ran and got help," Ruth recounted. Her quick decision to assist a fellow athlete reflects the values instilled in her by her family and faith. "It was the right thing to do. I think that the Lord put me in that position so that she was not alone," she added.
Anglemyer later recounted her experience, noting that she felt dizzy before collapsing. "I knew that something must be wrong. I then passed out and fell," she explained. When she regained consciousness, she found herself being assisted by others, including Ruth. Anglemyer speculated that her collapse might have been related to her nutrition, indicating the importance of proper hydration and sustenance for athletes.
Shalom Boomershine, who was approximately 90 seconds behind her sister when the incident occurred, also played a crucial role in the situation. Upon arriving at the scene, she quickly assessed the situation and called for additional help. "Of course I was scared, but I could not even imagine not stopping. If I were in that situation, I would hope that someone would stop to try and help me," Shalom remarked, emphasizing the moral responsibility they felt to assist.
Following the incident, both sisters continued to compete in the race, finishing in 18th and 25th place, respectively. Their father, Jamin Boomershine, who serves as the assistant coach for the team, expressed pride in his daughters' actions, stating that their choice to help was consistent with the values of service that he and their mother have instilled in them.
Coach John Rassi, who oversees the Benton Bucks team, praised the sisters for their compassion, attributing their actions to their strong character and faith. "It’s just who they are. It’s the Christ in both of them that compelled them to do this," Rassi noted.
Anglemyer, who returned to competition on August 30 and achieved a personal best at the NorthWood Invitational, expressed her gratitude towards the Boomershine sisters. "I would thank them a lot and tell them that was very kind of them. I know that I would have done the exact same thing myself," she said, highlighting the camaraderie that exists among cross country runners.
The next meet for Anglemyer and her team will be the Minutemen Classic at Ox Bow Park on September 12, where they will once again face off against the Benton Bucks. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of community and support in sports, reinforcing the notion that athletes often look out for one another, regardless of team affiliation.
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