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Sports - High School
King Girls Repeat as Region Champs; Boys DQs Raise Eyebrows
Posted: Feb 11, 2012 7:50 PM by Jason Notoras - jnotoras@kristv.com
Updated: Feb 12, 2012 7:30 PM
BROWNSVILLE -- CCISD's large schools celebration came with setback at Saturday's Region VIII 5A Swimming and Diving Meet. The King HS 200 Freestyle Relay and 400 Freestyle Relay teams were both disqualified, despite the 200 group winning the finals. Two judges ruled that King's third swimmer left the block too early in the 200 Relay finals. By rule, that led to a disqualification. Spectators and coaches watching the races that we spoke to said they didn't see why the DQs were called.
One official said those questioning the calls may not have had the best line of sight. "Coaches are not allowed on deck, at the end of the pool watching closely the swimmer relay take offs. Coaches are required to stand on the side of the pool. From their position, they can not honestly state if their swimmer left the block early or not. The official is placed so to have the best view possible."
One coach, not from CCISD, even commented that this was some of the worst officiating he has seen in some time. Another simply said "it just was not fair." King swimming coach Chris Moralez is expected to appeal the DQs and file a formal complaint with the UIL.
In an e-mail, one official explained, "The rule is very specific - a relay can not be "DQ'd" for an early take off unless both officials mark the same swimmer on the ballet. Each official fills out the ballot without any discussion. The officials mark a blind ballot and .... do not even get to see what the other official has marked. The chief judge picks up the ballots and compares them. If both officials judging the same four lanes assigned mark the same swimmer, than the relay is "DQ'd". If one marks the ballot as an early take off and the other does not, than the relay is considered safe and is still able to score in the event. This is considered the "benefit of doubt"."
While the King boys Freestyle Relays likely will not get to race at state (pending appeal), their 200 Medley Relay (1:43.49) won gold and advanced to state for the first time since the 1999-2000 season. The Mustangs edged out McAllen Memorial (1:43.85) to claim the top spot in a thrilling race.
In total, King earned a gold medal in seven events, while Carroll will send individuals Kristen Underbrink (200 Freestyle and 500 Freestyle) and Jacob Musich (100 Breaststroke) to state for their first-place performances.
The final results sheet did not include records.
Local Gold Medalists - Advances to State
Girls 200 IM Relay - King
Boys 200 IM Relay - King
Girls 200 Freestyle - Kristen Underbrink (Carroll)
Girls 50 Freestyle - Maylin Meisenheimer (King)
Girls 100 Freestyle - Maylin Meisenheimer (King)
Girls 500 Freestyle - Kristen Underbrink (Carroll)
Girls 200 Freestyle Relay - King
Girls 100 Backstroke - Amanda Alvarez (King)
Boys 100 Breaststroke - Jacob Musich (Carroll)
Girls 400 Freestyle Relay - King
Team Results
Boys
1. McAllen Memorial (340)
5. King (163)
10. Carroll (89)
Girls
1. King (388)
2. Hanna (233)
3. Carroll (216)
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