Sound Off! Kiminski should be applauded for actions

Kiminski should be applauded for actions
In response to the article “Helping hand at state CC meet leads to DQ,” which ran on the front page of the Nov. 5 sports, (Kailee) Kiminski should be honored and commended for her actions at the state cross-country meet. Her decision to help a runner in need is a shining example of what high school sports should be.
I am a coach and teacher at Proctor High School and have had the privilege of working with high school students in the classroom and playing fields for 16 years. As a coach, I never want any athlete to get hurt. But when they do, the priority is not the result of the contest anymore. It is sportsmanship and helping another competitor.
Eve Graves, who was quoted in the story, is entitled to her opinion in relation to Kiminski’s actions. However, Graves is wrong. She states that her “concern is that this is going viral and kids will start copying it.” Ms. Graves, I hope that athletes copy Kiminski’s actions. Those are the kind of athletes I want to coach and be around.
Graves advocates that an athlete should pass the injured competitor. What a sad and warped priority. This would mean that Kiminski would have had to see the injured athlete and make a deliberate decision to pass her by, leaving a wounded, hurt athlete to continue to suffer.
Yes, Kiminksi was disqualified. Yes, the rules say that an athlete cannot assist another athlete. As a coach I understand the intent of that rule. It was meant to do away with assistance that would improve an athlete’s performance. The rule is one that should be kept in the books. But Kiminski actions honor the sport of cross country and high school athletics. The disqualification is meaningless.
Nathan Johnson
Proctor