A high school wrestler in Woodstock, Ill., has been reinstated after being barred from competing over recruiting violations.
Marian Central Catholic High School student Jimmy Mastny and his wrestling coach Jordan Blanton have now brought their case to the courts, with a judge granting them a restraining order from the Illinois High School Association's decision until the case is decided.
Mastny has never competed in a high school wrestling match but was disqualified by the IHSA last month for allegedly violating recruiting rules. Blanton was ruled ineligible as a coach for the 2023-24 season.
According to Yahoo News, Mastny lives in Oregon, Ill., which is outside the 30-mile radius of Marian Central which is under the purview of the IHSA. Over the summer, Mastny moved in with a family friend who lives near the high school. His mom, Renee Mastny, said she even transferred guardianship to the friend.
Unfortunately, the woman who took Mastny in is Blanton's mom.
After learning of the situation last month, the IHSA ruled that Mastny and coach Blanton violated by-law 3.070: ‘Recruiting of Athletes.’
Blanton was then ineligible to coach for one year, and Mastny was ineligible to compete for four years.
"It was the first time, that I could find, anytime in the IHSA history that they had banned an incoming freshman, not just for this year, but all four years," Joe Trost, student-athlete advocate, told Fox 32.
Blanton says he felt confident in their case, and along with Mastny, filed an injunction against the IHSA. On Thursday, a judge granted them with a temporary restraining order, allowing Mastny to compete and Blanton to coach – at least until their next court date.
On Thursday, the IHSA released the following statement to Fox 32:
"The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) respects the decision earlier today by the Honorable David Gervais of the 22nd Judicial Circuit granting a Temporary Restraining Order enjoining enforcement of the IHSA Board of Directors ruling. It is the duty of the IHSA to uphold the by-laws that our member high schools have put into place, and we will seek to continue to do that as the legal process continues. Due to the ongoing litigation, we will have no further comment at this time."
Mastny is eligible to compete in the school's next match, hosted by Marist High School on Friday afternoon.
A status hearing is set for Jan. 5, 2024.
