Two Johnston County high school juniors are pushing for change after finding out they no longer can participate in sports. 

Talia Cox and Audrey Deras both attend Johnston County Virtual Academy, an alternative program the school district offers, but played sports for the schools where they live.

Cox played volleyball for the last two years at Clayton High School, and Deras swam for Cleveland High School. Just before each was set to compete this school year, they found out they were ineligible.

Deras, a swimmer for her club team and Cleveland High School, told WRAL News she learned last week before the first competition of the season that she was no longer allowed to swim for the Cleveland Rams.

“It wasn’t even something I thought could happen because there was no real buildup to this,” Deras said.

Cox felt similar in August. During volleyball tryouts at Clayton High School, she learned she was no longer eligible even after two years on the team.

“I was trying so hard to make the team, to have my varsity year. Then it’s just like, ‘What am I supposed to do now?'” Cox said.

At a board meeting in August, members approved a change in district policy no longer allowing students at specialty schools like Johnston County Virtual Academy to participate in sports. That includes the virtual academy, Johnston County Early College Academy and the Johnston County Career and Technical Leadership Academy.

In an email, WRAL News asked the school district:

What changes were made to the eligibility for virtual academy students?

Why were those changes made?

The district has yet to respond. At the August meeting, Vice Chairman Terry Tippett said reclassification of schools was one reason for the policy change.

“When you have schools that are on the borderline, it affects your athletics and your athletic program for everybody in that school,” Tippett said.

Deras and Cox have over 100 signatures on a petition to try to convince the school board to reverse its decision. They plan to take their petition to the school board during the December meeting.

Source: wral.com