Mixed Reaction Greets Moses as He Speaks at Ohio High School Track Coaches’ Clinic

Edwin Moses, a two-time Olympic gold-medal hurdler, appeared Friday at a high school track coaches’ clinic here, but refused to discuss charges he solicited sex from an undercover police woman posing as a prostitute in Los Angeles.

“I don’t want to answer any questions about that incident. I’m here strictly for the clinic,” Moses, 29, told newsmen before climbing to the podium to deliver the keynote address at the Ohio High School Track and Field Coaches Assn. meeting.

Moses kept his remarks general, telling the audience of 800 about the Olympics and his problems in getting there. The audience was appreciative, but there was a hint of disappointment at the allegations against Moses.

“It’s lowered my opinion of him,” said Jo Roth, track coach and English teacher at Ottoville High School in Putnam County.

Ottoville assistant track coach Janice Kaverman agreed. She said her students were particularly upset at the allegations. “We talk about a lot of current events in school,” she said. “I expected them to laugh at this. But they didn’t laugh. They’re really shocked.”

Still, the coaches seemed willing to give Moses the benefit of the doubt. “He’s innocent until proven guilty,” said Dennis Eckert, a track coach at Heath High School in Licking County. “I don’t know the full story. I think it’s tremendous to have a gifted athlete, as he is, here. But the kids are kind of down on him now because of the situation.”