Photo Provided by Robert Austin
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Sundevil sportsmanship scandal takes toll on track

Photo courtesy of Robert Austin
Photo courtesy of Robert Austin

All students at Mt. Carmel hear the mantra “It’s Great to be a Sundevil!” on a daily basis. This aphorism is ingrained into the minds of students as a constant reminder of the privileges that they hold. It is when students forget these privileges, and take their reputation for granted, that their behavioral conduct declines.

At a recent meet against Canyon Crest Academy, unsportsmanlike behavior occurred resulting in two disqualifications of athletes involved in sprinting events.

“During the last race people were running with the [competitors] on the inside of the track,” junior Isaiah Tate said. “They were taunting the other team.”

Consequences have been instilled to ensure that similar behavior does not occur again.

Assistant Coach Rillo declined to comment on the issue.

“We had sportsmanship issues,” Head Coach McClanahan stated in an email to parents.  “We had behavior problems.  Also, we had athletes on the team not want to listen to the coaches and do not want to do the things that being a team member requires.   When all these were added up, I made the final decision that we stay home next weekend.”

Due to McClanahan’s executive decision, MC’s track team as a whole will not be participating in the Escondido Invitational or the Frosh Soph Invitational.

The actions of these specific athletes do not represent the sentiment of the team as a whole.

“It shows poor sportsmanship,” Tate said. “You should always treat the other team with respect. We all took into consideration that we should be more considerate of the other team and more respectful.”

Despite the recent occurrences the team is still hopeful about CIFs, and is taking the necessary actions to qualify.

“Everyone’s still respectful and puts in effort during the workout,” Tate said. “We all work hard and it’s still worth it.”

The team is looking to move forward and restore the idea that “It’s Great to be a Sundevil!” for seasons to come.

Written by Nicole Glidden

Nicole Glidden is a proud Cheez-It addict, who spends her free time binge watching Netflix. She has trouble getting into jeans, due to her soccer calves. Nicole hates running with a passion, yet participates in multiple sports.

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