After disqualifying cross country runners Kailee Kiminski and Tierney Winter for helping a rival during their state meet last weekend, the Minnesota State High School League has nominated them for a sportsmanship award.

Kiminski, a senior from Esko High School and Winter, a junior from Waterville-Elysian-Morristown/Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton, are being considered for the national Spirit of Sport Award.

About 100 yards from the finish line at the Class 1A girls meet, the two young women stopped to assist Jackson County Central freshman Jessica Christoffer, who had fallen to the ground. The pair helped Christoffer up and had their arms around her as they all finished together.

"I sure appreciate the help I received from the two girls, who I did not know before the race," said Christoffer. "They were awesome to help me out."

The two were disqualified for the assistance, but have garnered praise and national media coverage since the event — more attention than either likely would have received had they won the race.

Some criticized the national rule that the high school league enforced, which prohibits helping another athlete. Both Kiminski and Winter said they felt compelled to help.

The Spirit of Sport Award, given annually by the National Federation of State High School Associations, "recognizes athletes who exemplify the ideals of the positive spirit of sport and represent the core mission of education-based athletics," according to the Minnesota State High School League. Every state's high school athletics governing body can nominate students for the award.

Kiminski's high school principal Greg Hexum said she was a strong contender to finish in the top five at this year's meet. She ran hard and fast at the beginning, but then fell back to the middle of the pack.

"But I think it speaks highly of her that a different part of her kicked in, even in the face of that disappointment, to help out another athlete who is clearly struggling," he said. "What inspires people about sport … is this other part, sort of the camaraderie that comes along with competing side by side."

Eric Tvinnereim, athletic director at Jackson County Central High School, said he, too, was impressed.

"I just thought it was really amazing how those girls would just stop and help our girl [Christoffer] out, and the sportsmanship that they displayed," said Tvinnereim. "It was a pretty nice deal."

Erin Adler • 952-746-3283