The call will stand
Request for appeal to overturn decision in 135-pound title match for throwing headgear denied by NYSPHSAA
BY GREGG SARRA
STAFF WRITER
A request for an appeal to overturn an official’s call in the 135-pound match of the state wrestling championships was denied yesterday by the state athletic association.
Nina Van Erk, executive director of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association, denied North Rockland’s appeal, citing the finality of the protest committee’s ruling at the state championships at Pepsi Arena in Albany on March 5.
North Rockland senior C.J. Rodriguez was penalized two points for tossing his headgear – a technical violation for unsportsmanlike conduct- after beating LaSalle’s Paul Florio, 7-6. The two points gave Florio an 8-7 win, costing Rodriguez the state title.
“The request for an appeal hearing was denied based on the fact that the NYSPHSAA appeals process clearly states that at championship events, the decision of the protest committee at the site is final, with no right of appeal, “Van Erk said. “Mr. [Joe] Casarella, the athletic director at North Rockland, has exhausted all avenues in this matter. He was disappointed in the decision.”
As were North Rockland coach Bill Martin, LaSalle coach Jim Sutton, and both wrestlers.
“The state director faxed us the decision [today], “Martin said. “This is definitely not over. Joe [Casarella] has the full support of our community and the superintendent and we intend to start the legal process.”
North Rockland’s coach said he drove to Rodriguez’s house to relay the news. “I went to C.J.’s and he was so optimistic, “Martin said. “But when I told him they denied the appeal, he understandably became very frustrated.”
Martin said Rodriguez was disappointed and went outside to shoot baskets.
A little farther north, LaSalle’s Florio anxiously awaited the state’s move.
“I don’t have any expertise in the bureaucracy of the state because I’ve never had to call them in 30 years of coaching, “Sutton said. “They basically say we govern this and you’re bound by our decision. I guess they don’t allow it to be up for debate.”
Sutton said Florio is still upset over the way his championship bout ended. Sutton reiterated that Florio would trade anything to wrestle Rodriguez again and have a winner decided on the mat.
“Paul’s a great kid through and through, “Sutton said. “And he’s been unfairly ridiculed over this. He refereed a tournament at our school [Sunday] and the kids were making the gesture of throwing the headgear in front of him and I couldn’t believe it. He’s just sick over it.”
Rodriguez threw his headgear 10 feet in the air in exuberance. He raised his hand in victory, acknowledged the crowd, then hugged his family and left the mat. Side judge Tom Fauvell told referee Tom Lynch that he saw Rodriguez throw his headgear. Lynch then called the technical, which gave the match to Florio.
Lynch said he has been defending himself for more than a week on Syracuse.com, where high school wrestling is a hot topic. He said his family has been targeted in personal attacks.
Fauvell didn’t answer calls from Newsday.
“I, under no circumstances wanted to make that call, in my opinion the wrong kid won, “Lynch said on the Web site. “I have no problem telling all of you or any people that want to ask me that question, including the people reviewing the protest.”
Lynch said the call was correct, maybe not right, as per the rulebook.
“No matter how insane I felt it was to be making it, I had no choice, “he said. “Do I think that the people who wrote the rulebook had this in mind when they worded it, probably not . . . but I don’t have the authority to take a rule and use it in a context that I see fit to this situation.”
Added Sutton: “The one good thing you hope people learn from this is that it never happens again. From the peewees on up we’ll have to teach kids not to throw the headgear. It could cost them a state title.”
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