UNLIKELY MATES: Orange High School student Phil Tyquin and Bathurst High School student Jayden McLeod have become good mates. Photo: JUDE KEOGH 0615race
ORANGE High School student Phil Tyquin said he couldn’t have finished an eight kilometre race without the heroic efforts of an unlikely friend.
Bathurst High School student Jayden McLeod was willing to sacrifice sure victory in the Western Cross Country competition on Thursday to carry Phil after he collapsed 50 metres before the finish line,
Phil said he was extremely grateful to Jayden.
“I wouldn’t have got up without his help, I would have just stayed there spewing” he said.
“There is usually a big rivalry between Orange and Bathurst so I didn’t expect him to come back for me but he did.”
Jayden played down his good sportsmanship. He said Phil had been leading the race the whole time so he deserved to win.
“I just said to him come on mate you deserve to win,” Jayden said.
Jayden carried Phil about 15 metres when the boys noticed a competitor gaining on them quickly.
Phil said he couldn’t let Jayden be further penalised for helping him out.
“I said him just go, go, go, go we can’t let that other guy win,” Phil said.
Jayden finished the race in first place and Phil managed to walk to the line in third place.
Jayden said he was proud he stopped to help.
“I felt pretty good about it, everyone was clapping and cheering,” he said.
Both boys go onto state championships in Sydney where competition is back on.
“We’re friends though, I say g’day every time I see him, Phil said.