CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- There’s more ripple effect from the Chicago Teachers Strike, as cross-country runners prepare for this weekend’s state high school championships.
After a judge ruled last week that CPS cross-country runners could compete in last weekend's regional finals, Mather High School and 11 individual CPS runners qualified for state. Now the IHSA is appealing that court decision and is tweaking the field for this weekend's cross-country state meet.
“By this appeal, the IHSA will ask the First Judicial District to reverse order entered on November 1, 2019,” part of the appeal reads.
IHSA announced Monday that it is adding 13 individual runners and St. Viator's boys’ team to its field of qualifiers for the 2019 IHSA Cross Country State Finals.
Per IHSA Policy, CPS runners were not eligible to run in the sectional races held on Nov. 2, because they had been unable to participate in the regional races on Oct. 25-26 due to a teacher strike; however, a judge made a ruling that allowed CPS runners to compete in sections on Nov. 2.
The IHSA has since said that because the CPS runners were allowed to compete as an exemption, those bumped out by the CPS runners are going to be allowed to compete too. Those include 13 individual runners from other districts and the St. Viator team.
The individual runners represent Carmel Catholic High School in Mundelein; Oak Forest High School; Richards High School in Oak Lawn; Loyola Academy in Wilmette; Fenton High School in Bensenville; Elmwood Park High School; Vernon Hills High School; Thornton Fractional North High School in Calumet City; Maine West High School in Des Plaines; Oak Park-River Forest High School; and Addison Trail High School.
“After being granted an exemption to run by the courts, the CPS runners and team earned their places in the State Meet,” said IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson. “However, given that they were not initially eligible to compete per IHSA rules, it seemed like a fair gesture to reward the individuals and team who lost their qualifier spots to them. We believe this is a fair recourse given the unique circumstances.”
The 2019 IHSA Cross Country State Finals will take place at Detweiller Park in Peoria on Saturday, Nov. 9.