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Chad Peters
Express-News Staff Writer
Clutching his abdomen in obvious pain, Judson senior Richard Small shrieked as he crossed the finish line at Saturday's Region IV-5A cross country meet.
Small, suffering from cramps, needed assistance just to walk off the course at Brooks City-Base.
But Small — who finished second overall to earn a trip to next Saturday's UIL state meet in Round Rock — refused to complain about his pain.
Small's mother, Cynthia, has spent the last year fighting brain cancer.
"My mom's been through so much pain," said Small, who covered the course in a time of 15:14. "Why can't I do this run for 15 minutes? That's my main motivation."
Cynthia Small, who underwent surgery seven months ago and just recently began radiation treatment, missed Saturday's meet to rest at home.
Had she been able to attend, Small said he would have offered her his medal after the race — as has become his ritual this season.