TOMMIE SAYLOR: Jakob Muntz puts a fallen competitor above himself in remarkable act of unselfishness

“Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts.”

-- Albert Einstein

By Tommie Saylor

Kennedy High School

Jakob Muntz, senior captain of the cross-country team, was out running last week as he has done dozens of times before. For three years Jakob has represented Kennedy High School on the cross-country team, and in this, his final season in high school, Jakob has not only risen to the height of team captain, he has also honed his skills to the point where he now flirts with the prospects of having the honor of representing Kennedy at the regional level. 

Being able to represent one’s school at a regional meet often only comes along once in a cross-country student’s career, if and only if they qualify … if they are good enough. Only after they have proven that they are among the absolute best do they receive a chance.

Last week Jakob was running on what is arguably one of the most difficult courses in the Downriver area, as reported by Coach Amber McNew, a devout runner herself.  According to the coach, The Willow Metro Park course is uphill most of the way, the ground in uneven and difficult to negotiate. It is a course filled with rocks a d gravel – simply just not friendly. 

Yet through all of this, Jakob was well on his way to posting one of his best times ever, a 20-minute 5K run.  Jakob was staring not only his best time ever square in the face, he was also in the midst of launching himself into regional competition for the first time ever. 

With all of this on Jakob’s mind and within sight of the finish line, he suddenly stopped.

Ms. McNew, who was following the competitors and now stood at the finish line, could not believe her eyes. 

What in God’s name was Jakob doing?

Then she saw it.

Ms. McNew witnessed the most amazing act of self-sacrifice by a Kennedy student in current memory.  Jakob stopped because he saw another competitor from another team become weak in the knees, waver and fall to the ground. 

Without a second thought, and as others continued to run past, Jakob stopped, threw his fellow runner over his shoulder and continued to the finish line.

After crossing the finish line, Jakob placed his comrade on the ground at the feet of the student’s parents, where he laid passed out for several minutes.  Jakob, who just gave up his best time ever, who just lost his one and only shot at regional competition, who will now never know the joy of representing his school at that level.

He walked away without a word spoken or a second thought given.

Jakob is a hero. He deserves a medal for his actions and recognition for his sacrifice. He is the kind of student that we are proud to say is a Kennedy Eagle! 

Jakob is a success story, the epitome of what we are trying to achieve through public education. He’s the personification of good parenting, good teaching and good sportsmanship. May we never forget to take the time to celebrate such selfless acts of kindness.

What starts here, changes the world. Making Kennedy the school of choice. Excellence by design.