Rodriguez, 18, Ruled Eligible to Compete

Jimmy Rodriguez, Santa Ana Valley High School cross-country runner, will remain eligible through the 1988-89 school year, Southern Section officials announced Tuesday afternoon.

The officials received a phone call Monday claiming that Rodriguez, one of Orange County’s top runners, was older than allowed for by Southern Section Rule 201.

That rule states: “No student whose 19th birthday is attained prior to Sept. 1 shall participate or practice on any team . . . “

Judy Duesterberg, Santa Ana Valley principal, said Tuesday the school had determined that Rodriguez was within age requirements.

Duesterberg said Monday the school’s computer, used for class registration, listed Rodriguez’s birth date as April 5, 1970--which would make him 18. However, she said another set of school records showed the birth date as April 5, 1969.

“After investigating, we’ve decided that the 1970 birth date is the correct one,” she said.

Dean Crowley, Southern Section associate commissioner of athletics, met with Duesterberg, Rodriguez’s mother and Santa Ana Unified School District officials Tuesday afternoon.

Crowley, in a prepared statement, said the decision was made after reviewing Rodriguez’s birth certificate from Mexico showing his birth date as April 5, 1970.

Though officials would not disclose who made the charges Monday, two Century League coaches--Dave White of Villa Park and Jeff Davis of Santa Ana--also requested an investigation.

White believed Rodriguez was a senior last year, making his ineligible this season. But Crowley said school records show Rodriguez to be a senior this year.