Swimmers Shaw, Vela Ruled Ineligible for Prep Meets

Amy Shaw of Capistrano Valley High School and Ernie Vela of Mission Viejo High School have been ruled ineligible to compete for their schools’ swim teams, according to Southern Section Commissioner Stan Thomas.

Shaw, who holds the American long course record in the 200-meter breaststroke, and Vela, who probably will compete for Mexico in the 1988 Olympics, violated two Southern Section rules regarding outside competition by athletes while their high school season is in progress, Thomas said.

Both competed for the Mission Viejo Nadadores in the Dolphin Canadian International swim meet in Vancouver last weekend, which caused them to miss dual swim meets for their high school teams.

Under Southern Section rules, no athlete can compete in an international event while their high school season is still in progress unless they are granted a waiver. Athletes also are not allowed to compete in an outside event that causes them to miss a school-sponsored or state high school association athletic event involving their team in that sport.

The Southern Section has made exemptions in the past, but athletes must first petition the Southern Section commissioner 30 days in advance, Thomas said.

“If a youngster was to compete against a higher grade of competition (outside the Southern Section), it could give them a leg up in our section meet,” said Thomas, who ruled the swimmers ineligible. “We’re very willing to give special consideration for Pan Am or Olympic Games, but we would discern that carefully. If there is a sincere need on the part of the youngster, we may consider a waiver. But only under a special circumstance, and the athlete would have to petition.”

Thomas said neither swimmer sought approval.

Mission Viejo High Coach Mike Pelton was aware of the rule but said there was a lack of communication among himself, Vela and Nadadore Coach Terry Stoddard.

“We’ve had this situation come up many times before and have always filed the petition,” Pelton said. “It’s usually just a formality. We just didn’t communicate well this time.”

Said Capistrano Valley Coach Bob Gaughran: “Amy has gone out of the country (to compete in meets) several times. We just took it for granted that it was taken care of (with the Southern Section).”

Gaughran also said that Shaw had not been certain she would accompany the Nadadores to Vancouver because of a groin injury.

“We weren’t sure Amy was going until she found out how her leg felt at the at senior nationals,” Gaughran. “When she made the decision, there were only 14 or 15 days left before the meet (in Vancouver).”

Both coaches plan to appeal the decision at the Southern Section office in Cerritos on Tuesday . A panel consisting of three members of the Southern Section executive committee will review the decision.