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Hernando Today

NCT: stripped of a county crown

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY

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By TONY CASTRO SPORTS EDITOR

Hernando Today

Published: November 4, 2009

Most county championships wind up as historic momentos hung along the rafters in the gym ceilings.
But before Nature Coast Technical could even order its most recent championship banner, it learned of an athletic rules violation.
Last Thursday, junior David Cross violated Hernando County policy by competing in the seven-team Hernando/Citrus Classic at McKethan Lake in Brooksville, despite never attending school that day.
Cross covered the 3.1-mile scenic course in 18:14.14. Cross, a first-year runner, was the Sharks' fourth runner across the finish line placing 10th overall in the 66-member field.
Crystal River won the meet with 36 points while the Sharks, who ran without their top three runners (Bruce Federico, Tyler Harrison, Tyler Moore), finished runner-up with 58 points.
The local coaches had voted years ago to use the Hernando/Citrus Classic as the basis of the Hernando County Championship.
Thus, when the final points were tabulated, the Sharks were ready to order their banner.
But the NCT administration (Principal ToniAnn Noyes is ill and out of school) got wind that Cross was not in school, investigated the matter closer.
On Wednesday, first-year Athletic Director Kristin Peeples released the school's findings.
"David Cross was absent from school and had not checked out with an excused absence," explained Coach Peeples. "We immediately contacted the county office and got in touch with Ms. Jackson. We self-reported the findings to the FHSAA and are still awaiting word of any additional sanctions or penalties."
In the Hernando County Student Code of Conduct, page 11, under Practice Rule and Regulations, "If an athlete is absent from school on the day of a game, he/she cannot participate during the game…On some occasions, a situation may arise where it is beyond the student's control when he/she is absent. If this should happen the absence must be an excused absence determined by the principal or designee in order for the athlete to participate."
When pressed for a reason, the 16-year-old Cross responded, "I didn't know you had to be in class the day of a game. It shocks me now. All I want to do is make it so we can compete and help the two seniors, Bruce (Federico) and Tyler (Harrison), reach states.
"Hopefully, I'll be allowed to compete and help the team the best I can," added Cross.
Though FHSAA had not meted out a penalty as of press time, according to Peeples, NCT will go forward with forfeiting its individual and team results.
The county crown would then be awarded to next highest Hernando County finisher, Central High, which placed fourth with 86 points.
"I'm not sure where Cross stands with the FHSAA," added Coach Peeples, about his status in Thursday's key 3A-3 race at Crews Lake. "Hopefully, that will be determined by the end of the day."
Why did NCT take such a pro-active stance in this case?
"We wanted to be pro-active," admitted Coach Peeples. "We're not trying to get away with anything. It was a mistake on the coaches' part (of not checking the student's attendance). We feel we did do something wrong in running an athlete who was absent from school. That's why we're self-reporting it."
According to Coach Peeples, most coaches have access to a T.E.R.M.S. computer on campus that is able to check any athlete's attendance.
Had first-year Head Coach Trevor Barlow checked the computer, he would have seen that Cross was not in school that day.
"I assumed he was in school," said Barlow when asked if he checked his athlete's attendance.
What's the reaction of the move?
"Nature Coast has the county's best boys team. They're still a very strong team," explained Central Head Coach Eric Milholland, who ran the meet at McKethan Lake. "But Nature Coast made a wise move today. They're covering themselves. I know nobody wants to win a championship this way (via a forfeit nod). But rules are rules. I know I check my kid's paperwork and attendance everyday before a race. You have to. If I were in their (NCT) shoes and messed up like that, I would have turned us in too.
"We need more people to take responsibility for their actions," applauded Coach Milholland. "I commend Coach Peeples for doing the right thing."
The FHSAA did not return a message regarding the situation.

Sports Editor Tony Castro can be reached at 352-544-5278 or online at acastro@hernandotoday.com.

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