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Show No policy change for 9th graders By GARY R. BLODGETT Sports Editor FARMINGTON Davis School District has decided it will not change its policy regarding regard-ing ninth graders participating on high school athletic teams. Davis Board of Education voted recently to maintain its current policy despite an earlier request by high school and junior high wrestling wrest-ling coaches to let ninth-graders compete on varsity wrestling teams. Board members noted that a survey of " school principals and a ruling from the Utah High School Activities Association both ODDosed any change in the policy. The committee suggested that a further study be made of swimming, gymnastics, golf, tennis and cross-country running to determine if one or more of these sports may be added to the ninth grade in the future. Earlier, the Utah High School Activities Association ruled that ninth graders wanting to participate in high school wrestling programs could not compete in other junior high school athletic programs. First, the UHSAA noted that bylaws do not allow participation in two programs simultaneously simul-taneously and second, the junior high starting date would put ninth graders in violation of the Nov. 9 starting date for high school wrestling. In fact, junior high principals were nearly unanimous in their opposition to a policy change noting that it would interfere with junior high basketball, add to transportation . costs, weaken the junior high wrestling prog-' prog-' rams, and increase the possibility that other , sports would make policy, changes in the near ! future.--- - !i ) ' . . A committee appointed to review the policy and other similar policy proposals said . there were several reasons for opposing the policy revision request. First, the policy change would not be consis-' consis-' tent with what is happening in other districts : throughout the state. Even though wrestling is not offered in junior ' high schools, basketball, wrestling, volleyball, tracks and field programs are being offered in ' the ninth grade. Also, football and soccer are - sponsored in the community. |