A group of Ohio high school track coaches are accusing some teams in the state of cheating, saying that the state high school association isn't enforcing its own rules.
The coaches, who didn't want to be named for fear of losing their jobs for speaking out, told WHIO that some high school track teams are allowed to compete in more than 16 meets.
“Personally, it makes me mad,” one coach said. “I mean, the rules are pretty clear, a team cannot go over 16 meets.”
Tim Stried, an OHSAA spokesman, said the teams that had gone over the 16-meet limit would not be sanctioned.
“No, the team will not be sanctioned,” he answered. “The school will not be sanctioned.”
Stried also explained the rule’s original intent.
“If an individual competes in more than 16 contests, then the individual would not be permitted to enter the tournament.”
One of the coaches who spoke with OHSAA said the rule had been around for five years, and not enforcing it could create problems in the future.
“By nothing, OHSAA, where is it going to stop?” said one coach. “I feel like we are going down a slippery slope.”
WHIO found that three Miami Valley Schools were over the 16-meet limit, including Vandalia Butler, Beavercreek, and Wayne High schools. They each had 18 meets scheduled and attended.
The coaches who spoke to WHIO said it sets a bad example.
“I just want to see when rules are put out there that they are enforced when they’re clear broken.”
OHSAA said it will make a rule change next season to clarify it to mean each athlete.
