Concord’s (Calif.) Rayna Stanziano was up in first place during the 800-meter race of the North Coast Section Meet of Champions.
Stanziano seemed likely to defend her championship from last season — until her legs gave out.
Samantha Wallenstrom, of Marin Catholic (Kentfield, Calif.), had originally passed Stanziano before turning back and helping the athlete finish out the race, The Mercury News originally reported.
“I was confused because she didn’t look like she was faltering at all, so I kind of passed her, didn’t know what to do, and then I turned around and said, ‘No, l should probably go back and help,’” Wallenstrom told The Mercury News.
The two runners finished in the top two spots in the race. Wallenstrom came in first and Stanziano came in second, per The Mercury News.
St. Joseph Notre Dame’s Emily Perez (12) and Marin Catholic’s Samantha Wallenstrom (1) help Concord’s Rayna Stanziano (2) off the track after a fall in the girls 800 meters at the NCS Meet of Champions. @DarrenSabedra @VytasMazeika @CurtisPashelka pic.twitter.com/LGAVh3uOCn
— Phil Jensen (@JensenPhil) May 19, 2019
