KEARNEY, Neb. (AP) — Competitive fire turned into compassion at the Nebraska Class C state cross-country meet in Kearney.

The Sidney Sun-Telegraph reports that Liam Murphy of Kearney Catholic High School saw Sidney High School’s Jachob Wiedeburg falter on Friday afternoon around 3,500 meters into the 5K race. Wiedeburg said later that his legs “just shut down,” but he wouldn’t quit on his last race as a high school runner.

Murphy stopped, flung his right arm around Wiedeburg’s back and helped him struggle forward. At the finish line Murphy halted to let Wiedeburg take the lead. Wiedeburg finished 88th, Murphy 89th. The newspaper says the crowd rewarded both boys with loud and lengthy applause.

Wiedeburg says Murphy’s sacrifice meant the world to him.