Wisconsin High School Association Reconsidering Track Athlete's Ban From Competition

The Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association may be having a change of heart over a recent decision to ban a high school track star from competing in varsity events. 

According to Wisconsin Public Radio, the association last week ruled that Josh Onwunili was ineligible because his parents live in Ghana, Africa. 

Onwunili attended Campbellsport High School his freshman year, and then joined his parents in Africa for two years where they are missionaries. He returned this year to Campbellsport for his senior year and to continue his high school track career. 

The WIAA has transfer rules in place that would prohibit Onwunili from competing to prevent schools from stacking elite athletes, however track coach Derek Toshner says that is not the case with Onwunili. 

Toshner and Onwunili have appealed the case with the WIAA, providing proof that Onwunili meets high school age requirements, that his mother still owns a house in Campbellsport and is moving back and that his father is unable to move back at this time because of an issue with his visa.

“We produced all that information, and then they still said it wasn’t sufficient,” Toshner said. “Whether Josh is successful at getting appealed or not, we’re trying to create a way for this not to happen with future kids.” 

WIAA Spokesperson Todd Clark said it is always the organization’s intention to “assist our member schools review and validate the eligibility of student-athletes.”

The case has received significant attention. 

On Wednesday, Sen. Duey Stroebel, R-Cedarburg, Rep. Ty Bodden, R- Hilbert and Rep. Robert Brooks, R-Saukville, sent a letter to the WIAA board asking them to reconsider their decision. 

“The decision to exclude Josh from competition based on residency technicalities risks overlooking the fundamental spirit of high school sports to provide young athletes with the opportunity to showcase their abilities and character on a statewide stage,” the letter states.

“The rule in question, while designed to maintain fairness, in this case, appears to be an obstacle to fairness itself, denying an exceptional student-athlete a chance to compete based on bureaucratic constraints.” 

Toshner said the pressure has made WIAA give Josh’s case another look. 

The coach was told Wednesday WIAA is working with a lawyer to go over the documents to confirm Josh’s mom has moved back to the United States, they own a house in Campbellsport and his father is unable to come back.