High school notes - Hurley to Bowling Green; No more high-tech swimsuits
By Mike White | Tuesday, Aug. 11, 8:40 p.m.
With high school football practices starting next week, look for more regular postings on "Varsity Blog." Next week, I'll report from different preseason camps just about every day. For now, a few notes, including one on swimming. YES, SWIMMING!!!!!:
Greensburg Central Catholic quarterback Trenty Hurley will play next season in the Mid-American Conference.
Hurley, a 6-foot-5, 215-pound senior, has made a verbal commitment to Bowling Green. He chose the school over Eastern Michigan, Miami and Delaware. Hurley transferred from Connellsville to Greensburg Central as a sophomore. He was the team's starting QB last year as a junior and threw for more than 1,300 yards.
He's a good quarterback, but not great. The MAC is a good place for him. But with that size, Hurley certainly has potential.
Throw away the suits - It seemed an inordinate number of records were set at the WPIAL and PIAA swimming championships last season. Some people, including coaches, said new high-tech swimsuits had something to do with the many records. Well you won't see those suits next year.
The National Federation of High Schools has banned the high-tech suits, effective immediately. The WPIAL and PIAA are part of the National Federation.
These high-tech suits have been a subject of controversy at every level of swimming. When Michael Phelps lost a race a few weeks ago, his coach blamed part of the loss on a high-teach suit worn by a competitor.
"These high-tech suits had fundamentally altered the sport and become more similar to equipment, rather than a uniform," said Becky Oakes, NFHS assistant director and liaison to the Swimming and Diving Rules Committee. "The rules of swimming have always prohibited the use of wearing of items that would aid in the swimmer's speed and/or buoyancy."
Effective immediately, swimmers shall be limited to wearing suits of a woven/knit textile material (Sorry, but I have no idea know that means. I'm just using the wording from the NFHS). Suits may no longer contain zippers or other fastening systems. A suit worn by males shall not extend above the waist or below the top of the kneecap. For females, the suit shall not extend beyond the shoulder or below the top of the kneecap. Also, it shall not cover the neck.