Track: Disqualification cost Loyola state title

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From the lesson learned file comes this from the state track and field championship:

Loyola High pole vaulter Evan Barr finished in a tie for third place, which would have given enough points for the Cubs to win the state boys’ championship on Saturday.

Barr, however, was disqualified after he loudly said a ‘profanity’ following his final miss in the event.

‘He uttered a profanity out of frustration, and the officials thought it was significant to disqualify him,’ Coach Mike Porterfield said. ‘He apologized immediately after he said it.’

According to Hal Harkness, the state rules interpreter, ‘You can’t be profane in a competitive area. He made an unfortunate lapse in judgment.’

Update: Barr responds to the controversy. Here’s link to his comments.

-- Eric Sondheimer