GAINESVILLE, Ga. — The Chestatee High School girls wrestling program will be forced to give up its 2023 Class 4A traditional state championship.
Hall County Schools athletic director Stan Lewis announced via press release on Tuesday, saying the school had been handed down a list of sanctions due to an ineligible wrestler.
"The school has received sanctions for violations of GHSA By-Laws," Lewis said in a statement. "An ineligible wrestler who was not carrying enough units per GHSA guidelines competed during the second half of the season. The violation was realized on April 12, 2023, and the school self-reported to the GHSA."
Chestatee appealed the GHSA's decision, but it was denied.
"The school deeply regrets the error and is saddened by the impact on the athletes and the community," Lewis said.
Along with the loss of the state championship, Chestatee has been fined $500, and the athlete must forfeit all victories; Chestatee will forfeit all wins in which the wrestler competed while ineligible, including both the team state title and the dual area championship, and all championship medals and trophies much be returned to the GHSA office.
The Lady War Eagles have been put on "severe warning status" for one calendar year.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2023/5/1185213/wrestling-ghsa-sanctions-force-chestate-girls-to-hand-over-2023-state-title