Sometimes, some things that a star says or does to put a rival on the right track mean far more than victory.

Take Seoul American cross-country runner Thomas Kim, who had been unbeaten the entire season until last Saturday's Korean-American Interscholastic Activities Conference meet at International Christian-Uijongbu. Osan American's Josh Hanks beat Kim in a sprint to the tape in the last few hundred meters.

But courtesy of an e-mail from Osan coach David Hemmer is the "untold story" of the meet. And one that merits accolades as a true act of selflessness and sportsmanship:

As we all know or have heard about all the negative tales of athletes and character, this could be one of the finest examples of character that I think I have ever had the privilege of hearing. Saturday, the KAIAC cross-country meet at ICS-Uijongbu was set up to be one of the classic battles between two of the best male runners in Korea. Thomas Kim who had been on top all year, and Josh Hanks who was slowly climbing the ranks and improving his times.

At the start, they both set off at a blistering 5:05 first mile, both battling each other back and forth for almost two-thirds of the way. Josh's plan was to attack the hill and hopefully get a little distance between him and Thomas. To which he did, putting about 50 feet between them, but when he got to the top of the hill, Josh made a wrong turn, and was quickly heading completely in the wrong direction.

Thomas, being a man of true character, yelled out to Josh, unselfishly and demonstrating the ultimate example of sportmanship, "Hey.. you're going the wrong way..!!!" Certainly, there could have been many thoughts that could have ran through his mind, but Thomas instinctively chose the one that typifies the outstanding person he is. The next mile they continued to battle until the finish.

I don't know if there's such an award as "Sportsman of the Year" but, if there is one.  Thomas Kim should be the top of that podium. What a man of character..!!!