New Jersey Sports
Monday, November 18, 1996
Paul VI boys look for a way to race in Meet of Champions
A foul-up kept the Eagles out of the Parochial A meet. So they couldn't
qualify.
By John McBride
INQUIRER CORRESPONDENT
About 8:30 this morning, Paul VI coach Jose Loyola will be meeting with
school officials, including the principal, the Rev. Russell Rock, and
athletic director Mary Ellen Guittar.
It won't be a pleasant gathering.
The group will try to determine a way to get the Eagles into the NJSIAA
Meet of Champions race Saturday at Holmdel Park. NJSIAA race officials did
not allow Paul VI to run in the Parochial A championship, saying that they
had not received the entry form -- although Loyola said he had confirmed
with the meet director the night before that he had the form.
Now, the only recourse is to attempt to get the Eagles into the Meet of
Champions as a wild-card entry. Only the top three teams from each group,
along with the top-10 individuals not on those teams, are allowed to
compete in the Meet of Champions.
``I received the girls' application,'' meet director Walt Chesney said.
``In there was a return-request receipt. I did not have the boys'.''
According to Chesney, seven schools faced the same scenario Friday, not
having their entries in, but got a form to him that day. Loyola, though,
says that point is moot since the meet director confirmed Friday that he
indeed had Paul VI's paperwork. Chesney didn't confirm or deny that he had
spoken to Loyola.
``The phone call has nothing to do with it; I still don't have their
entry,'' Chesney said. ``Suppose if I said no [ on the phone ] ?''
Loyola used a cellular phone and reached Rock on Saturday, an hour or so
before race time. Loyola tried to get Rev. Rock to talk to Boyd Sands, the
executive director of the NJSIAA, who was at the meet, but Sands declined
and referred reporters to Chesney.
``I called in Friday to make sure he had the form because I never received
a verification that it was received,'' Loyola said. ``I specifically said,
`This is Jose Loyola, the boys' cross-country coach at Paul VI. I want to
know if you received my registration form.' He said, `Hold on . . . yes, I
received it. Good luck, see you tomorrow.'
``When we got off the bus to pick up our envelopes and they didn't have
them, Mr. Chesney walked by and told me he never received our form. I said,
`Why did you tell me you received it yesterday, when you really didn't have
it?'
``His comment was: `It has nothing to do with yesterday, and what I talked
to you about yesterday. I don't have your form today.' ''
``Mr. Chesney told me, `You know who's hurt the most -- the kids,' ''
Loyola said. ``I thought, `Sure, the kids are hurt the most, and I'm glad
you're thinking of them. But if that's the case, why aren't you letting
them on the starting line?' ''
Loyola will be at the Meet of Champions anyway, with the girls' team.
Girls' coach Mike Lyons is getting married Saturday and can't attend.
