The following article written by Mr. McDowell appeared in the Alexandria Gazette on October 14, 1974. My younger brother still has an original copy from the newspaper framed and on a wall in his house in Knoxville, TN.
SPORTSMANSHIP: A SIMPLE GIFT
Sportsmanship is still alive and well in high school sports, and it was nowhere better demonstrated than Friday afternoon after the running of the Georgetown University high school cross country invitational.
The fans on hand had seen a brilliant duel between seniors George Watts of Edison and Ed Boggess of Kennedy for the \"A\" race individual title, finally won by Watts in 16:26.2.
Boggess stayed with Watts for all but the final 200 yards of the race, finishing second about 10 yards back in a very gutsy 16:28.
Meet officials awarded a silver bowl, the Carl Joyce Most Valuable Performer award, to Watts for his victory.
Minutes later, Watts made his own private awards presentation. Watts gave Boggess the silver bowl in a gesture much more meaningful and much closer to the spirit of the award.
Then it was one outstanding athlete recognizing another outstanding athlete for a superb personal performance after they had shared the same competitive pain for nearly three miles.
Watts did it privately without fanfare. Saturday morning when questioned about it, his answer was simple and direct.
\"He ran a great race,\" said the Edison senior. \"It was a great performance, and he deserved the trophy.
Sportsmanship in athletics is not dead, not as long as athletes like George Watts, who understand the real meaning of athletic competition, remain on the scene.