Trojans tennis team docked 4 wins by WPIAL
California High School’s boys tennis team was rolling along with a sparkling 11-0 overall record and had first place wrapped up in Section 1-AA with a 9-0 mark, when it got a call from the PIAA on Friday.
Just like that, the Trojans’ record fell to 7-4 and 5-4 and their section championship was gone.
The reason, as the WPIAL and PIAA ruled, was the Trojans used an ineligible player in four of their matches.
One member of California’s team was female, which, under a new WPIAL rule instituted within the last year, is an ineligible player.
That player participated in four of the Trojans’ matches as part of the No. 2 doubles team, which won just once. That lone victory did not have an effect in the outcome of that particular match.
No matter, according to the WPIAL, which handed down its original ruling on April 21.
California filed an appeal, which was denied at a WPIAL hearing on Thursday. A follow-up appeal to the PIAA was also denied on Friday.
Trojans head coach Martha Hall said she could not comment on the ruling other than to say, “It’s really a heart-breaking situation.”
California did receive some good news on Monday, however. While the forfeit losses dropped the Trojans down in the section standings, they will still make the WPIAL Class AA team playoffs thanks to Greensburg Salem’s victory over South Park.
The WPIAL was made aware of California’s possible ineligible player by another school and looked into the matter. The school that notified the WPIAL is not known.
California cooperated fully when the WPIAL contacted it about the matter, according to athletic director Chris Minerd
“It was nothing we did deliberately,” Minerd said. “We presented our case to them, and we felt since it was a new rule they might show us some leniency. We accept responsibility.
“While it may not have been the decision we had hoped for from the WPIAL and the PIAA, we have to respect the governing bodies of our sports.”
Ironically, the PIAA handed down its final decision on the Trojans’ Senior Day when it defeated Thomas Jefferson.