 Diver
loses appeal to compete in regional
By RICK MORWICK
Daily Journal assistant sports editor
rmorwick@thejournalnet.com
Feb. 6, 2001
Appeal denied.
To the bitter disappointment of coach Kurt Hass, the IHSAA
has upheld Saturday’s sectional disqualification of Franklin
Community High School sophomore diver Anesa Beard.
The ruling means Beard can’t compete in today’s
diving regional at Bloomington North and, more importantly,
can’t compete for the state championship.
Easily one of the state’s top divers, Beard was banned
from sectional competition for removing an elastic band from
her hair and putting it on her wrist before her first dive.
Tournament official Robert Kelsik ruled that the band violated
the IHSAA rule prohibiting the wearing of jewelry during competition
and disqualified Beard on the spot.
But Hass and other Franklin officials appealed to the IHSAA
that the band, which contained no metal or decorations of
any kind, clearly was not jewelry and therefore was not a
violation.
The IHSAA faxed the school a short notice Monday afternoon
denying the appeal.
“We felt this particular thing wasn’t a judgment
call,” Hass said, voicing a sentiment he said was shared
by a majority of other sectional coaches, who were appalled
by Kelsik’s decision. “The rule is in English. It’s
clear what it says.
“It’s a sad commentary when a rubber band decides
a competition rather than the performance. My feeling throughout
the meet was the guy (Kelsik) doesn’t like kids or is
on a major ego trip.”
Kelsik declined comment to a Daily Journal reporter who covered
the meet, which was delayed about two hours while Hass and
coaches from other competing schools pleaded for a reversal.
Beard, one of the nation’s top 10-meter platform divers,
was ranked No. 2 in the state before being disqualified.
Franklin is represented today at the regional by junior Ashlee
Burton and sophomore Carly Noblitt. At stake is a trip to
Saturday’s state finals at the IUPUI Natatorium.
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Portions © 2001 The Daily Journal, Johnson County, Indiana.
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