Confusion leaves Selby out of pool

By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@Oklahoman.com

Despite qualifying for the state swimming championships in three events at last Thursday’s last chance meet, Harding Prep’s Mitchell Selby will not be allowed to participate this weekend.

Paperwork needed to be filed to the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association by Friday afternoon, and Harding Prep did not get the forms in on time.

“We didn’t even know he was swimming,” Harding Prep athletic director Emily White said. “It’s unfortunate that this has happened. He’ll definitely be around next year.”

Selby’s parents asked Edmond coach Steve Riggs if Mitchell could compete a few weeks ago. Mitchell was allowed to and easily qualified for the events.

Riggs said he noticed something was wrong when he was organizing the warm up time for each school to use the pool and Harding Prep was not on the list.

“It’s a shame because it was such a unique story, but we know he’ll be back and better than ever,” Riggs said.