The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

The Wahkiakum School Board approved a trial dual sport participation policy at their February 22 meeting, paving the way for eligible athletes to participate in two sports this spring.

The discussion about dual sport participation began in November after parents Wendy and Lamar Blix asked the district to consider allowing their son to participate in track and baseball. The board asked Athletic Director Marc Niemeyer to craft a draft policy based on input from district coaching staff and policies used by other districts. After consultation with the coaches’ association, Niemeyer submitted a draft policy for the board’s consideration.

At the February 22 meeting, the board and the nine parents and coaches attending the meeting examined the text of the draft policy. Among other requirements, the document stipulated the following:

Dual-sport athletes will be required to maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA during that sport(s) season. District Superintendent Bob Garrett noted this would be different from current criteria, which sets eligibility at a GPA of 1.75 for the prior quarter and subsequent midterm grades. Garrett explained that enforcing a GPA standard for current, rather than prior quarter grades would require extra monitoring by teachers and coaches.

Team sports (i.e. football, volleyball, basketball, baseball and softball) take precedence over individual sports such as cross country, cheerleading, wrestling, track and golf. After conferring with the coach of the secondary sport, the coach of the primary sport will provide the athlete, parent(s) and secondary sport coach with the schedule of practices and events the athlete will attend. The coach of the primary sport has the final say on any questions or concerns.

The coaches of both sports involved must give their approval before participation begins. A mandatory meeting must be held between the coaches, athlete and parent(s).

Dual sport athletes who quit one or both teams will not have the opportunity to participate in any dual sports for the remainder of their high school career.

Garrett noted that with the exception of golf, all sports require athletes to attend 10 practices prior to the first competition, and suggested that coaches might consider arrangements such as holding morning practices for the first two weeks of the season to allow dual sport athletes to gain eligibility.

“Realistically, in my sport two practices in a day will wear down kids early in the season,” responded wrestling coach Matt Stacey, adding “the common consensus I heard at the coaches’ association meeting was we didn’t see how well this would work in winter sports (basketball and wrestling). We could see that it would work better for spring sports.”

Board member Michelle Budd questioned Stacey, saying, “I need to know the rules up front. Is it true in wrestling you won’t let (a dual sport athlete) come in and challenge to wrestle varsity? Because the whole point of this is so they can letter and go to state.”

Stacey said he had not made any kind of formal decision with his coaching staff or written team bylaws. Board chair Lee Tischer added “I’m assuming well before your season would start you would have your team rules so when the coaches, parents and students met they could all decide if it’s good for them or not.”

Budd asked for clarification if the coaches would have to allow dual sports participation if the draft policy was implemented. Garrett noted the document, as written, stated that coaches from both sports would need to agree to allow an athlete to participate. Board member Tina Schubert concurred, adding “which is only fair, because the coaches are the ones that are going to be dealing with the problems that arise from this. “

Elementary / middle school Principal Theresa Libby asked if that meant the policy for each sport could change whenever new coaching staff took over a program.

High school Principal Dan Casler suggested that the language of the document might have been “not so much about approval from both coaches as it was a meeting of understanding so everyone understands the risks.”

“I would say that was more like what I heard,” said track coach Mike Riley. Stacey, who had also attended the coaches’ meeting, said he understood it as approval from both coaches.

Paul Johns, who coaches middle school track and wrestling and is an assistant coach for middle school football, spoke in support of the policy, stating “I think a kid can pitch nine innings for the baseball team on Tuesday and then on Thursday the kid can go throw the shot put for the track team. Let these kids flourish and give them opportunities.” Assistant wrestling coach Keith Burns added, “even though it could be difficult, some individuals can do it. This policy is pretty strict; (the athlete) has to want it.”

Board member Mike Quigley moved to approve the draft policy as submitted, but the motion died for lack of a second.

Schubert then moved to amend the policy from “maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA during the season” to basing academic eligibility at the beginning of the season on the previous quarter’s grades, identical to the current policy. Mike Quigley then seconded it and the motion passed. Tischer, Schubert, and Quigley voted in favor of implementing the policy as a trial; Budd voted against. Board member Tony Boyce was absent.

Practice for track, baseball, softball and golf began on February 27, and as of February 28, one athlete was turning out for two sports, said Garrett.