Wrestling ruckus sparks AIA action

Tim Tyers
The Arizona Republic

Show Low, Eloy Santa Cruz and Coolidge high schools face disciplinary action from the Arizona Interscholastic Association as result of a brawl involving competitors and fans from Show Low and Santa Cruz at the 15-team Coolidge Invitational wrestling tournament on Jan. 15.

Administrative officials and coaches from Show Low and Santa Cruz, as well as Coolidge Athletic Director Ted Horn, met Wednesday with AIA Executive Director Harold Slemmer to discuss what independent investigations by the schools uncovered.

Slemmer said the schools have until Monday to submit a full report of the incident, at which time the AIA executive board will decide whether to hold a special meeting, or hear the issue at its monthly meeting in February.

The incident occurred late in a tournament dual between Show Low and Santa Cruz and resulted in some 30 or more people – some participating, some trying to restore order and a few unspecified wrestlers – from both schools meeting and clashing on the mat.

Coolidge police were called to restore order.

Lt. Greg Shepherd of the Coolidge Police Department said the case is open and is still being investigated. He said other than few cuts and bruises no serious injuries were reported, although a Show Low wrestler lost a tooth.

Coolidge, as host, could receive a letter of advisement for not providing a safe environment for competitors and fans. Advisement is the least of four possible penalties in the AIA’s constitutional by-laws and issues notice that a problem exists and to take steps to prohibit it from recurring.

Disciplinary action for Show Low and Santa Cruz will depend on how aggressively each school addresses the issue, Slemmer said. Punishment could range from a warning, to probation or suspension.

According to Slemmer, the incident occurred in the next to last match and was the result of earlier unsportsmanlike actions by members of both teams and fans, who were upset with officiating calls and actions on the mat.

Coolidge officials earlier had warned several fans from each school to control their actions or they would be asked to leave. Slemmer said at one point Show Low coach Travis Jackson sent one of his wrestlers into the stands to tell a parent to calm down.

Tensions apparently grew when a Show Low wrestler, after losing, bumped into his opponent and knocked him off balance as they went to the middle of the mat for the decision. Slemmer said a Show Low wrestler was pinned very aggressively in the next match, and a fan came down from the stands to the mat and the brawl ensued.