WIAA reinstates Nicole Cochran as 3200-meter champ

Here's the press release from the WIAA:

WIAA Executive Director Mike Colbrese has announced that Bellarmine Prep participant Nicole Cochran will be reinstated as the state champion for the 3200 Meter Race at the 4A Girls State Track and Field Meet. All other finishers and team points will be adjusted. However, this adjustment does not have an impact on first through fourth place team finishers.

To make his decision Colbrese reviewed all written documentation provided by the officials who were directly involved with the event, and interviewed each one of those officials. He also reviewed all pertinent National Federation of State High School Association rules and WIAA rules and regulations.

“I apologize to all of the participants involved and appreciate their patience while I have sorted through all the information regarding this incident,” Colbrese said. “The officials misapplied a rule by not identifying the runner at the time in which the alleged violation occurred. The officials simply made a mistake that was driven by miscommunication and by the fact that both Bellarmine Prep runners entered in the race had similar hip numbers, similar height and similar hair color.”

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