Nixing pay-to-play a good idea

We’re glad to see that sports are still free at Kalispell Middle School.

Faced with a budget crunch, school officials had considered a $25-per-sport fee at KMS.

But trustees last week voted against the pay-to-play plan for the middle school, reasoning that the cost might have prevented future athletes who hadn’t yet discovered their talents from trying a sport.

School board members rightly decided the price of the proposed policy was too high, and we agree.

Although the move doesn’t help the school district’s monetary situation, the decision is good news for middle-school athletes and their families.

If you’re looking for inspiration, take note of Emily von Jentzen’s recent accomplishment.

Last Saturday, after 18 hours and 26 minutes in the water, von Jentzen became the third person — and first woman — to swim the length of Flathead Lake.

While the feat was a personal accomplishment for the triathlete who recently joined the staff at the Flathead County Attorney’s office, it also was about doing something for someone else.

Von Jentzen dedicated the record-breaking swim to 3-year-old leukemia patient Karmyn Flanagan and used the event to raise money to help pay for the young girl’s medical expenses.

Congratulations, Emily, for going the distance on so many levels.

Top-notch equestrian events are headlining a very busy weekend in the Flathead.

Rebecca Farm near Kalispell is hosting its sixth World Cup event, where the world’s best horses and riders will compete in one of 12 stops on the World Cup tour. The competition that has put Kalispell on the map in the eyes of renowned equestrians continues through Sunday.

At the Flathead County Fairgrounds in Kalispell, roughly 400 riders are expected for the 45th Annual National O-Mok-See competition that gets under way for six days starting on Sunday. Kudos to our own Smith Valley Saddle Club that petitioned the national association to host the 2010 nationals here.

And if you still need more horse action, take in the National Rodeo Association rodeos tonight and Saturday night at the Blue Moon arena in conjunction with Columbia Falls’ Heritage Days.

You might say we’re downright neigh-borly in these parts.