T-Rex tears up the 100m

[Mama_Bull]

Interesting thread on this at Big County Toin Coss, which is a message board mainly composed of local HS coaches. Their reaction is mostly like the posters on this board, which is that the penalty is much too severe for a first infraction of this type.

http://bigcountypreps.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?PHPSESSID=lp3gatv8d9s6napso109rhqj65&topic=4986.0

[Mama_Bull]

Meet official supports reduced ban for Mitchell

Posted By Bill Ward at Apr 09, 2010 at 04:00 PM

Updated Apr 09, 2010 at 04:11 PM

Sickles track coach Penny Heid, the meet official whose account of Hillsborough star Terrence Mitchell’s cursing during Tuesday’s county championships was used in the report that eventually saw him hit with a six-week competition ban, said Friday she has written a clarification letter about the incident in hopes of reducing his suspension.

Heid’s clarification was sent with an appeal, as well as letters of support for Mitchell’s suspension to be shortened, to the Florida High School Athletics Association on Friday by Hillsborough athletic director Dr. Bertha Baker-Lopez.

Mitchell, a senior, is a state-ranked track athlete in the 100-meter dash, long jump and triple jump. Earlier this year, he signed a football scholarship with the University of South Florida as a defensive back. At six weeks, the FHSAA’s suspension effectively ends Mitchell’s season—and his prep sports career—because qualification for the Class 3A state finals begins April 23 with Hillsborough’s district competition.

Heid said she penned the letter after learning that the report inferred that Mitchell has cursed at meet starter Dave Rittenour for not recalling his qualifying heat of the 100-meter dash when his and other competitors’ blocks slipped. Rittenour, who also served as the meet’s head referee, compiled the report and filed it to the FHSAA.

“I just want to make it clear that (Mitchell) wasn’t cursing at (the starter). He cursed at the situation that was occurring,†Heid said. “I didn’t see the final report sent to the FHSAA until today and I think they might have interpreted that Mitchell cursed the official. That’s not what happened.â€

In light of the fact Mitchell did not curse at a meet official Tuesday, Heid said she was surprised he was handed such a stiff penalty.

“I was expecting two meets and one week for his suspension,†Heid said. “I certainly didn’t expect six weeks and an end to his season. I’m not the one who makes the rules, but to me, that seems harsh.â€

Hillsborough track coach Joe Sipp said several area coaches, including King boys coach Dee Johnson, wrote letters of support for Mitchell receiving a reduced competition ban. According to Sipp, Mitchell has never been a discipline problem in football, track or at school, where Sipp says Mitchell has never been given a referral.

http://www.tboblogs.com/index.php/sports/comments/meet-official-supports-reduced-ban-for-mitchell/

[DELdaBull]

It needs to be reduced to time served. Absolutely ridiculous.

[Mama_Bull]

Mitchell appeal delayed one week

Must wait until after spring break for FHSAA to hold conference call

Staff photo by BILL WARD

Hillsborough's Terrence Mitchell must wait at least another week before learing if he can return to competition this season or if his prep athletics career is over.

By BILL WARD | TBO.com

Published: April 12, 2010

TAMPA - Hillsborough senior track standout Terrence Mitchell and his teammates will have to wait at least another week before learning if he can return from a competition ban he was given last week by the Florida High School Athletics Association.

The delay is a result of the spring break Hillsborough County schools began Monday. FHSAA spokesperson Laurel Ring said a conference call reviewing Mitchell's appeal of the suspenion is scheduled for April 19.

Mitchell, a state-ranked track athlete in the 100-meter dash, long jump and triple jump and a University of South Florida football signee, was hit with a six-week ban for cursing at last week's Vernon Korhn Hillsborough County Championships. He used profanity after his blocks slipped from under him during the qualifying round of the 100 and the starter did not order a recall with a second firing of the gun.

The foul language was heard by the meet's clerk of the course, Sickles veteran coach Penny Heid. Several minutes later, Mitchell was disqualified from the meet by head referee David Rittenour, who was also the starter.

A report of the incident was later submitted to the FHSAA, which ruled Mitchell should be suspended from all competition for six weeks. With Hillsborough's district meet set for April 23, the current ban effectively ends Mitchell's season, as well as the Terriers' hopes at winning the Class 3A state crown.

Upon learning of the length of the suspension, Heid submitted a letter of clarification of the incident to the FHSAA. Heid said she wanted to make it clear to FHSAA officials Mitchell was not directing the profanity at any meet official. Heid said she was surprised at the severity of the suspension and supported a shorter competition ban.

Friday, Hillsborough athletic director Dr. Bertha-Baker Lopez submitted an appeal on Mitchell's behalf, which included Heid's letter, as well as letters of support from area track coaches. According to Hillsborough boys coach Joe Sipp, Mitchell has never been a discipline problem and never received a referral from the school for a behavioral issue.

Monday, Ring said the appeal will be reviewed with a conference call to the school. Ring said a conference call is part of the "due process" the FHSAA uses in some appeals.

Although it puts Mitchell's future in limbo another week, Sipp said he hopes the delay will allow more time for officials to review the situation.

"Obviously, we wish we knew an answer right now," Sipp said. "But if we can use the time to rally more support for his case and show people the kind of person he really is, then the wait will be worth it."

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/apr/12/mitchell/sports-prepsports/

[DELdaBull]

Hope his appeal is granted.

[Bullpride08]

Hope his appeal is granted.

Ditto...good kid got caught up in a tough moment.  Seeing T-Rex in that pic reminds me how much bigger he is then his cousin Lamar.  Lamar in HS was 5-8 legit, and maybe 150lbs, but T-Rex is closer to 5-10 and is really 170lbs...and that's a powerful 170lbs.  Makes you feel better that there's a better chance he'll be ready made to contribute next season especially if our S&C guys can get him in this summer.

[postmortem]

Hope his appeal is granted.

Ditto...good kid got caught up in a tough moment.  Seeing T-Rex in that pic reminds me how much bigger he is then his cousin Lamar.  Lamar in HS was 5-8 legit, and maybe 150lbs, but T-Rex is closer to 5-10 and is really 170lbs...and that's a powerful 170lbs.  Makes you feel better that there's a better chance he'll be ready made to contribute next season especially if our S&C guys can get him in this summer.

He looks like a monster in the pic in the first article when he's running the 100. I was quick to show that picture to my FSU friends.

[Mama_Bull]

Mitchell's appeal to be heard Tuesday

Posted on Monday, April 19, 2010 at 12:50 p.m.

By Joey Knight

A conference call to review the appeal of suspended Hillsborough High track star Terrence Mitchell will be held Tuesday at 10 a.m. by the FHSAA, Terriers coach Joe Sipp said.

One of Florida's best sprinters and a 2009 state runner-up in the long and triple jumps, Mitchell received a six-week "Level 2" suspension by the FHSAA for using improper language at the Vernon F. Korhn Hillsborough County Championships two weeks ago.

At that event, he stumbled out of the starting blocks and pulled up early in the 100-meter preliminary, later indicating his block had slipped. Shortly after Mitchell and Sipp appeared to have a heated exchange with a race official near the starting line, Mitchell was disqualified from the meet.

If his appeal isn't overturned, Mitchell's state title aspirations are finished. Hillsborough competes in the Class 3A, District 9 meet Friday at Armwood. Only the top four finishers in each event qualify for regionals. The top four region finishers make state.

"I am just praying and trying to stay positive on the whole thing," Sipp said. "One good thing is that they have not said no yet, so we still have hope."

http://hometeam.tampabay.com/blog/2010/apr/19/mitchells-appeal-be-heard-tuesday/

[Bull Dozer]

I hope they wise up realize how stupid this suspension is. 

[Mama_Bull]

Mitchell WON his appeal. He will now be able to compete in the district meet this weekend.  ;D

http://hometeam.tampabay.com/blog/2010/apr/20/mitchell-wins-appeal-regains-eligibility/