Zariel Macchia, a four-time All-American runner at William Floyd High School in Mastic Beach, N.Y., will not be allowed to compete in next month's state championships after having competed in a meet in which she raced against college athletes.
As reported by News 12 New Jersey, Macchia, who holds seven Long Island records, violated what is known as the "College Rule" by participating in the meet in Boston. According to officials from Section 11, the governing body of high school sports in Suffolk County, high school athletes are not permitted to compete against college athletes.
“They were aware of that, [but] they still went through and competed in a meet up in Boston," said Tom Combs, executive director of Section XI, as reported by News 12's Kevin Vesey. "Therefore it’s a violation and that deems her ineligible for the remainder of the winter season.”
Said Macchia, “Being able to represent William Floyd in the state meet means a lot to me and to not be able to do that in my senior year would be very disappointing.”
Pete Macchia has argued that his daughter was racing independently at the Boston meet, not representing any school, and that she had competed against college athletes in the past without issue. “It was something we had done many times,” he said.
The family is considering appealing the decision.
Combs said the Section 11 rule exists “to preserve the safety of the high school athlete competing against a much more mature athlete,” Vesey reported, adding that the disqualification only applies to the winter track season. Macchia will be eligible to race again in spring.
