State will not hear Rodriguez appeal
By ANTHONY PINCIARO
THE JOURNAL NEWS
C.J. Rodriguez was hoping to score the most important reversal of his high school wrestling career yesterday.
Unfortunately for the North Rockland senior, it did not happen.
Nina Van Erk, executive director of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association, denied the North Rockland school district’s request for an appeal of the controversial 135-pound state final on Mar. 5.
Rodriguez celebrated a 7-6 title only to later experience a two-point penalty when he tossed his headgear in celebration. Paul Florio of LaSalle was declared the winner, 8-7.
Van Erk said she informed North Rockland athletic director Joe Casarella of the decision.
“It was denied and that decision was based on the fact that the New York State Public High School Athletic Association appeal procedure says that ‘At state championship events the protest committee shall hear the protest and their decision is final with no right of appeal,’ ” Van Erk said.
Rodriguez learned of the decision from North Rockland coach Bill Martin.
“He walked to my door and I asked him if he had good news, “Rodriguez said. “He said ‘No.’ He came in, we started talking and he showed me the report that was sent to us.”
Rodriguez reiterated that the one and only time he ever showed emotion following a win, he got in trouble for it.
“I am kind of kicking myself for doing what I did, “he said. “I’m not happy, but I wasn’t going to act like a robot.”
When referee Tom Lynch blew the whistle signifying the end of time, Rodriguez flipped his headgear in the air because he thought he won the title.
Tom Fauvell, the assistant mat referee, notified Lynch that Rodriguez threw his headgear. Throwing of headgear constitutes unsportsmanlike conduct. As a result, Rodriguez was penalized. Because it was his third infraction, it was a two-point penalty. Earlier in the match Rodriguez was penalized twice for stalling.
“As part of my research I contacted the National Federation of High Schools and they confirmed that the officials followed the appropriate procedure during the match, “Van Erk said.
Martin questioned the unsportsmanlike penalty at the protest meeting with DeBadts, Dalberth and Tracy.
“Nowhere in the rule book does it state how many feet or at what angle constitutes an unsportsmanlike infraction, “Martin said.
Casarella said he was very disappointed by the decision.
“People have rules and regulations, but you also have a human aspect, “Casarella said. “People in education need to bring in that human aspect. You need this to understand a lot of things about kids.”
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