Can you imagine the kind of backlash the Iowa High School Athletic Association would have taken had Davis County’s Zach Hougland not been able to run in this weekend’s state cross country meet?
The IHSAA has already taken numerous phone calls and responded to several emails about the unfortunate situation.
It’s been talked about so much, and in a negative light, that I certainly hope the national organization in charge of setting the cross country rules takes a look at this type of scenario.
Hougland was disqualified from a Class 2A state qualfier at Columbus Community after winning the race because he aided another runner to his feet and ultimately helped him finish the race.
The runner from Mediapolis had collapsed on the course just as Hougland was making his way back to his team’s camp. It was a great show of sportsmanship, but rules are rules, according to the IHSAA.
While I understand the rules and the importance of following them, I also feel like there can be exceptions to the rules. The rule is designed to disallow cheating. It is to prevent teammates from helping each other finish higher than they would normally finish without help.
But Hougland wasn’t cheating. He wasn’t helping a teammate, and he was no longer even involved in the race.
Officials at Columbus Community made the call to disqualify him and the IHSAA backed that decision.
It’s complicated, sure. You don’t want to open a can of worms for future meets. There’s shouldn’t be gray area, but there can be an area of common sense.
In this instance, the fact that Hougland won the race and then helped a competitor had no bearing on the final outcome.
The IHSAA is likely happy that Davis County’s team still managed to clinch a berth into Saturday’s state cross country meet. At least now Hougland can still run.
No Davis County runner had ever won an individual district title, and that was taken away from him.
The volleyball postseason resumed Monday and continues Tuesday.
The high school football playoffs kick off Wednesday, too.
If the area volleyball teams win Monday or Tuesday, they advance to Thursday and Friday’s semifinal rounds.
As I said earlier, the state cross country meet is Saturday in Fort Dodge. The five Jasper County schools have a combined eight area runners competing.
Good luck to area teams and athletes the rest of the way.