Clarkston’s varsity girls cross country team has won the state title for the second year in a row and in order to preserve their shot for a three-peat they will comply with the MHSAA’s determination that running in the NIKE Team Nationals, in Portland Oregon on Dec. 4, would violate state rules.
‘If we do attend we would be ineligible for next year,? said Coach Jamie Labrosse.
The NTN was set up to be a national run off between the top boys and girls track teams in the nation, a class which the Wolves have proven themselves to be in. Two teams from eight regions across the country are invited as well as four wild cards, all travel costs are paid by NIKE.
Clarkston has been ranked number one in the NTN Midwest region the entire season.
The problem that the Wolves have run into is that Michigan’s rules forbid participation in any sort of national championship.
‘The high school season ends with the MHSAA tournament,? said Jack Roberts, executive director of the MHSAA. ?(The NTN) is a national high school championship specifically prohibited in the rules of the MHSAA ? (it) is based on the high school season and on the performances of high school athletes.
The Wolves were undefeated and have been ranked third nationally in the Harrier Super 25 poll all season.
‘We are disappointed, the girls have worked hard and they wanted to see where they measured up,? said Labrosse.
The MHSAA rules state that no member school can compete in any sort of contest which takes place farther than a 600 mile round trip. The MHSAA also forbids participation in any out of season competition.
‘Unlike every other sport program that seems to have another level after the state title, there is nowhere to go after the high school championship. It’s the top, the end ? the qualifier to nothing else ? the pinnacle of what a high school team can do. Why would we give up all of this for a national high school tournament?? said Roberts in a Feb. 2004 value of athletics article.
If the Wolves as a team or as individuals participated in the NTN they could be rendered athletically ineligible for up to one enrollment year.
‘My job as an athletic director, first and foremost is to make sure our athletes and coaches abide by the rules of the MHSAA,? said Athletic Director Dan Fife. ‘By saying that we are going to follow the rules it does not mean we are not supporting our girls.?
With a strong team coming back next year, including lead runner Jenny Morgan, the Wolves will not sacrifice what could be another fantastic year for one race, no matter how big it is.