Laingsburg runner lends a hand to competitor

GRAND LEDGE - Ryan Kingsbury knew it was the right thing to do.

When the Laingsburg junior saw Pewamo-Westphalia’s Trent Barker struggling following the Greater Lansing Cross Country Championships Saturday, he made sure to lend a hand.

Barker dropped to the ground after completing the course at Ledge Meadows Golf Course and needed to be helped by trainers in the finish area. When he was finally back on his feet and tried moving through hundreds of runners and fans toward the Pewamo-Westphalia team tent, Kingsbury was there to lend a hand.

“It was a really crowded area and I don’t know how he found me, but he was there,” Barker said.

Kingsbury's action has captured the attention of both communities.

“I told him I’d walk with him back to his team tent to make sure he didn’t collapse,” Kingsbury said. “It definitely is a natural thing and I think you should always be nice to people no matter who they are. I did know (Trent). We see each other all the time (through sports). It’s normal.”

Barker, also a junior, said he recently had been experiencing back problems and it tightened up Saturday, resulting in some of the worst pain he’s endured.

Laingsburg cross country coach Mal Balow wasn’t surprised to hear of Kingsbury’s actions and said it exemplified his character.

“If someone is hurt, he’s going to take care of them whether it’s a male or female athlete,” said Balow, who has coached Kingsbury since he was in sixth grade.

“He’s a team captain and a leader and he just took charge. He just went out of his way to help a Pirate. It just shows what kind of a young man and what kind of character this young man has. This is what he’s been taught at home and just the type of person he is.”

Contact Brian Calloway at bcalloway@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @brian_calloway.