Shaved Swimmer: Lake Geneva High School swimmer disqualified for shaving in school locker room

A Lake Geneva High School athlete's career ends early, because of a rule she says she didn't know about.

[Rusty Chesney]

It's interesting that a check of the WIAA rules site for girls' swimming makes no reference to this long standing rule. Too often we forget that high school is an educational setting. If Lindsey Mikrut unintentionally violated this rule--she should not be so severely penalized. All this situation accomplished is to give her a traumatic experience with relationship to officials. The official in this case should have given her a warning and let it go.

I would hope that the ref that disqualified Linsey was a female; otherwise, my questions is what is a male doing in the locker room?

As a society we are getting too rule oriented and teaching our young people that there is no room for compromise. This is unfortunate.

[Stickgirl]

Its sad that she worked so hard for this and it just gets thrown away..I dont know the rules but the punishment sure doesnt fit the crime......

[Bill Markut]

That is the problem with a "rules are rules" and zero-tolerance mentality that is so prevalent in the schools and society. It allows administrations and persons in authority to make black-and-white decisions when a bit of commonsense would be beneficial to everyone involved...

[Cathy Nickels]

As a high school swimmer myself I was never aware of this long standing rule. I have been guilty of it myself! It is not like Lindsey was caught with an illegal substance! Does the punishment really fit the crime? I think NOT!

[JAS]

Stickgirl wrote:

Its sad that she worked so hard for this and it just gets thrown away..I dont know the rules but the punishment sure doesnt fit the crime......

Suggest that the basis for the rule claim be found before making a judgment - what if the reason is to reduce the transfer of blood-born diseases, like AIDS??????

[State Swimmer]

It is more because of the transfer of blood-born diseases. If it wasn't a rule then ever swimmer would be shaving before the meet and the threat for the transfer of blood-born diseases is much greater for all the swimmers. This rule is there for a saftey issue. Also every coach in the WIAA has to take a test (before becoming a coach) on the rules of their sport that they plan on coaching. My coach reminds us before sectionals.

[leapfrog]

Bill Markut wrote:

That is the problem with a "rules are rules" and zero-tolerance mentality that is so prevalent in the schools and society. It allows administrations and persons in authority to make black-and-white decisions when a bit of commonsense would be beneficial to everyone involved...

You point out one major fact about all of todays society. " Common Sense " has been completely eliminated! We have all of these morons walking around trying to convince themselves that they mean something in life.
We have an animal killer playing Pro football and she gets this for something she wasn't aware of? Get a life cause the one you're living now is worthless!

[Linda]

Lindsey has shown everyone who she is and what she is made of. What a shame a coach has shown her who he is. Lindsey had NO intention of harming anyone, Be fair, tell Lindsey the rule, be honest, Lindsey was, SHE DID NOT KNOW THE RULE! Step up to the Plate! This will change her LIFE forever, let her swim!!

[May]

State Swimmer wrote:

It is more because of the transfer of blood-born diseases. If it wasn't a rule then ever swimmer would be shaving before the meet and the threat for the transfer of blood-born diseases is much greater for all the swimmers. This rule is there for a saftey issue. Also every coach in the WIAA has to take a test (before becoming a coach) on the rules of their sport that they plan on coaching. My coach reminds us before sectionals.

Sounds like it's a good rule. Now lets make sure everyone is aware of it. Disqualifying this girl from swimming, is NOT the answer.

[Kay_Lynn_Rose]

its rediculous and i think we all know it... come on, i bet lots of girls and maybe a few guys even do it in school to improve their swimming efforts. thats not cool...

[Michelle]

I was a high school swimmer from 1989-1992 and I knew of the rule. My coach reminded us at the beginning of the season and again before conference, sectionals and state. We use to have shaving parties in our high school locker room the day before sectionals.

I also coached high school girls swimming from 1998-2003. It was my responsibility as a coach to inform my athletes of the rules they needed to follow. This is a case in which the coach failed.

[Cindy B]

I have mixed feelings about this article. I can understand that shaving is a health issue. If she were to nick/cut herself other swimmers have a slight chance of coming in contact with her blood. Also her grooming should have been done at home, not in a public place.
Then again, the rule seems to be a bit extreme. It's not like she is taking any drugs that would effect her performance. I heard somewhere that most swimmers shave their arms and legs because the water tends to cling to the hair follicles.

[lizzieb]

The punishment doesn't fit the 'crime'. Will someone at the WIAA please step in and do the right thing? The rule is not well known and should be posted or enforced equally. She wasn't the only girl shaving on site that day... just the only girl who was honest about it. Those who did not step up and confess will be swimming at state. Lesson learned? Honesty is not the best policy!

[Stickgirl]

So how did they find out she did it?????

[swimmommilwaukee]

Linda wrote:

Lindsey has shown everyone who she is and what she is made of. What a shame a coach has shown her who he is. Lindsey had NO intention of harming anyone, Be fair, tell Lindsey the rule, be honest, Lindsey was, SHE DID NOT KNOW THE RULE! Step up to the Plate! This will change her LIFE forever, let her swim!!

Lindsey Mikrut is an awesome swimmer and swims with a club team as well. I know she will miss out on the state meet, but she'll have the chance to swim in her club state meets yet this year and I'm sure with her skills will go on to swim in college. I don't think it will "change her LIFE forever." A bit dramatic. Don't get me wrong, I'm sorry that this happened, but a similar situation this year disqualified some swimmers because of a "conference rule" not even a WIAA rule. It's stupid!

[Illinois]

Michelle wrote:

I was a high school swimmer from 1989-1992 and I knew of the rule. My coach reminded us at the beginning of the season and again before conference, sectionals and state. We use to have shaving parties in our high school locker room the day before sectionals.
I also coached high school girls swimming from 1998-2003. It was my responsibility as a coach to inform my athletes of the rules they needed to follow. This is a case in which the coach failed.

Found this interesting...Michelle used to have shaving parties in their own locker room the day before sectionals. Is it okay to shave at the child's own school? If so, why does venue matter at all? blood is blood and the same risks apply whether the child is at their home school or an away school.

[Alyssa]

I think that this is very stupid! Girls are always shaving in the locker rooms. I was on the swim team two years ago and was on the team for 4 years and can say we shaved all the time at the school. I also saw many other swimmers at meets who would shave. I think Lindsey should be able to swim at the State meet! She deserves too!

[Cathy Nickels]

Stickgirl wrote:

So how did they find out she did it?????

I believe she was asked and answered HONESTLY. Even though others were doing the same they did not answer honestly and are still swimming. Is honesty truely the best policy? What is this teaching the young people today. "If only I just lied like the others...."

[Kym LaCombe]

Absolutely ridiculous. As a mother of 3, reading this just crawled under my skin. A warning would have sufficed here. On your side Lindsey and so sorry this happened to you. Treat this as a lesson to prepare you for the others who will challenge you in your future and attempt to prevent you from reaching your goals (instead of setting their own). Keep moving forward!! Truly unbelievable.

[Concerned]

State Swimmer wrote:

It is more because of the transfer of blood-born diseases. If it wasn't a rule then ever swimmer would be shaving before the meet and the threat for the transfer of blood-born diseases is much greater for all the swimmers. This rule is there for a saftey issue. Also every coach in the WIAA has to take a test (before becoming a coach) on the rules of their sport that they plan on coaching. My coach reminds us before sectionals.

If blood born diseases is an issue why did a swimmer at the same meet with a bloody nose be allowed to swim? She was tended to by a WIAA trainer got her nose packed and deemed okay to swim! Are all swimmers checked for cuts or scraps that could bleed upon entering the water? Wouldn't a nose bleed far worse than a nick from a razor? Where's the logic? Whether they cut themselves shaving that morning at home or at the venue, there is a chance for the wound to open and bleed.

To my knowledge the shaving on site ruling, is a janitorial rule that was instituted 20 years ago for hair and mess in locker room.

So when we boil this all down to the outcome, a gifted athlete was penalized for being the only honest girl to admit to shaving in the locker room, and lets be real...she wasn't the only one shaving that day.

Consider yourself lucky that your coach reminded you of this rule. Lindsey wasn't so lucky and it came with a high price. Put yourself in her place, see how you feel.