City Section has wrestling controversy

Another day, another controversy involving the City Section. Dillon Freeman, a wrestler for Granada Hills, was disqualified from competing at last weekend's City championships after he forgot to bring his school picture ID and didn't retrieve it in time before official weigh-ins were completed for his weight class.

He had a driver's license but officials said that was not good enough. Then the school athletic director was able to e-mail Freeman's school ID via a phone. John Aguirre, the City Section administrator, approved that, but then several coaches complained that Freeman violated competition rules because he went onto the scale after everyone else had.

Now that's great. Coaches stepping forward to deny a kid a chance to compete because he forgot his ID, then got it but missed the weigh-in. Ridiculous.

Barbara Fiege, the City Section commissioner, said, "We can't arbitrarily decide what rules apply and don't apply."

Freeman's attorney, Keith Gregory, said he had written a letter to the CIF requesting that Freeman be given a chance to gain entrance to this weekend's state meet.

Freeman won last year's City title at 160 pounds and was favored to win at 152. The City Section is refusing to overturn the disqualification. But Fiege did say perhaps there should be a look at whether the rule that doesn't allow a driver's license to serve as an ID needs to be changed.

Let's hear it for those honest wrestling coaches out only to protect the rules. Baloney.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Comments

[Adam Penner]

I agree that this is a ridiculous rule, however, I can see why John Aquirre and the city section created it. This stemmed from last season, when San Fernando was stripped of their City championship for using an ineligible, Sultan Muhammad. From what i understand, Muhammad was being home schooled and didn't even attend classes at the school. That is why the City Section required that each wrestler have their school id card with them at weigh ins to verify that are not only who they say they are, but that they do indeed attend the school. I know it's sad that it has come to this, but this is the world we live in today. And the coach should have made sure that every wrestler had their id cards on them before leaving the school....

[me]

is there that much cheating going on in that sport that a kid needs to bring a photo ID to a match ? What other high school sport does this ? Maybe Farmer form Serra should bring his ID to track meets so we really know its him :-)

[Dr.Mom]

What's baloney is a negligent coach who failed to make sure one of his best athletes was fully prepared for competition--and yes, that means boring things like filling out paperwork and having the regulation I.D. Seems to me that fingers are being pointed at everyone but the coach who allowed this to happen.

That's the problem with this country, far too many individuals think they need to obey the rules only when it's convenient. If coaches don't like a rule then they need to work to have it changed instead of whining when regulations are properly enforced.

[AnonymousPatriot]

Last time I checked, a picture ID is to verify that a person is who they say they are. In Cali, a CDL is the official ID of the land, which, by default, supersedes any 3rd party ID requirement.

The bigger question is; does LAUSD or CIF or any other authority for that matter, have the right to deny a valid state issued driver's license as proper ID?

They threw the kid under the bus.

[Alex Ford]

As a former athlete and parent of a former HS athlete, I couldn't agree more with Sond. The Granada Hills kid got jobbed! --

[JustSaying]

I feel bad for the kid, but rules are rules. These rules are learned at a very young age, e.g., I coach a 4th grade NJB association team and we have to show a certified team picture before every game. If we don't have it, we forfiet; very simple. If a child missed the photo session, they are not allowed to play in tournaments, very simple. Too often these days we over look things and "give folks a break" and that's why we have become this soft soceity with a bunch of bratty kids and parents with a sense of entitlement that is sickening. The job of coaches, teachers, and all others in these types of professions has become so difficult because of this "oh poor kid, give him a break" mentality.

[mudslider]

Wow.

What they did not recognize him from his drivers license?

But seriously is anyone really surprised these coaches would object and try to prevent this kid from competing?

Way to go City Section. Another teaching moment fail.

[CityFan]

Wah Wah Wah!
Maybe he should have brought his ID with him like he's supposed to and like everyone else did! Part of being involved in athletics is to learn some resposinsbility.

Really???? This kid has a lawyer!?!?!

[GET REAL]

And yet another reason why city section sports SUCK!

Aguirre approved it and it should have been over and done with. The kid had a drivers license which should have proved who he is.

The coaches who complained should be dismissed by there respective schools. Why are you crying over spilled milk? Instead of crying you should just mop it up. Is your kid a better wrestler because the main competition got disqualified?? Good job coaches who complained, your teaching our youth well, please send in your resignation letters.

Eric I hope you find out who these coaches where and that you post it on this blog.

[Nice To See A Good Game]

The kid had his driver's license, which should have been accepted at the weigh-in time. Period, end of story. Last time I checked, a license was considered a legal form of identification.

Now, if he had absolutely no form of ID at the weigh-in, then was weighed in after going and getting it, then it would have been fair to exclude the kid.