From the Muskogee (Oklahoma) Phoenix
Wrestlers get boot after pot incident
By Mike Kays
Phoenix Sports Editor
Parents of six Fort Gibson High School wrestlers have until today to appeal their children’s suspensions, which were handed down Friday for what school officials say was a drug-related incident.
Fort Gibson Principal Gary Sparks said the boys admitted on Thursday to smoking marijuana in the hotel where the team was staying while away at a wrestling tournament Jan. 14-15 in Jay.
The suspensions could range from a trimester to one year, he said.
The boys admitted to smoking just before the team’s coach Gabe Ellis checked the room in the early morning hours on Jan. 15, Sparks said.
The six students are minors, Sparks said. Citing confidentiality laws, he could not identify them.
Ellis was at a wrestling tournament this weekend and could not be reached for comment.
Muncy Bear, a father of one of the suspended players, said on Saturday that at least two families were considering appeals for their sons, his included.
Bear said his son is in special education and is supposed to present his case to a special education board to determine if his son knew it was right or wrong what he did.
Sparks said he was satisfied with the school’s findings after an investigation last week. He said the issue is now in the school board’s hands.
“All we got to go on is what we know, and they’ve told us they did it, “Sparks said
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