June 25, 2007: Deseret Morning News

UHSAA, Legislators Set Meeting Today
by Amy Donaldson

The Utah High School Activities Association's members and staff will meet with legislators of the Administrative Rules Review Committee today at 9 a.m.
Executive director Evan Excell said they were asked by the committee's leadership to discuss the UHSAA's relationship to the state and whether the rules are in harmony with the state's laws, specifically open enrollment laws.

In the committee's April 25 meeting, the issue of charter schools participating in UHSAA-sanctioned sports was discussed. Currently there are four charter schools that have membership in the UHSAA. In the minutes of that meeting, there was a discussion about whether students could attend a charter school but play sports for their home-boundary school. This is possible under current rules if the charter school has an agreement that states that in its charter. Otherwise, students can participate in sports through the state's co-op rule.

Utah state law says that, "the State Board of Education, in consultation with the Utah High School Activities Association, shall establish policies regarding non-resident student participation in interscholastic competition."

The meeting will take place in room W135, and the agenda lists several presenters, including Excell.

The executive committee voted last week on new brackets that take into consideration changes in realignment. One of those changes is that three Region 9 teams will enter the playoffs as 4A teams, while the other three remaining schools will participate in state meets and tournaments as 3A teams. Pine View (1,421 students), Dixie (1,300 students) and Snow Canyon (1,154 students) will all enter 4A playoffs with different regions depending on the sport. Canyon View (775), Cedar City (726) and Hurricane (824) will all enter the playoffs as 3A teams.

Southern Utah officials hope two new schools in the area will allow them to form their own region in the same classification eventually.

The UHSAA executive committee also voted to make a rule change that will allow those in the lightest wrestling weight classes to lose more than 1 percent body weight and still compete in that weight class. The special allowance is for two- or three-day tournaments only and will be detailed in the association's new handbook next month.

The UHSAA also voted to have an arbiter assign judges for all sanctioned drill team meets. The arbiter will select judges for the meet and the state tournament, and the hope is that this will keep judges from seeing the same routines and teams all season and then having to judge them again in the state tournament.

ACCOMPLISHMENT RECOGNIZED: Three high school athletic directors were recognized by the Utah High School Activities Association's executive committee last week for completing the certification process for the NIAAA: Alana Benson, Parowan; Brad Tingey, Hillcrest; and Scott Briggs, West Jordan.

WARRIORS HIRE NEW COACHES: The Taylorsville cross country and soccer teams will be led by new coaches in 2007-08.

Robbie Duncan was hired as the Warriors' cross country coach. He spent 10 years as an assistant to Bingham's Jeff Arbogast. Duncan, a graduate of Bingham, was a state champion in the 800- and 1,500-meter races as a high school student.

Creed Healy will coach the school's boys soccer team. The Skyline graduate was on two state championship teams as a player. He was also an assistant to this year's Warriors squad, which made it to the 5A semifinals.

GAMES NEEDED: Riverton High is looking to add a couple of preseason girls soccer games to its schedule. If interested, contact coach Paul Moizer at 598-4449.

NEW SOCCER COACH: Skyline will be conducting interviews for a new boys soccer coach shortly. If interested, please contact assistant principal Steve Marsing ASAP at steven.marsing@granite.k12.ut.us or 646-5420.

VOLLEYBALL CAMP AT PROVO: Provo High is offering an Advanced Volleyball Skills Clinic from Tuesday to Thursday. This clinic is open to athletes who have played high school volleyball or a season of club volleyball. Brent Alldridge, BYU recruiting coach, is the head clinician. The clinic runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, contact Bulldogs coach Wendy Bills at 362-3373 or Web site: www.phs.provo.edu/sports/volleyball or pick up a registration form from the Provo High main office.