Verdigris: Two girls soccer championships forfeited...

By Robert Przybylo
BPrzybylo@opubco.com

The OSSAA has ruled the Verdigris girls soccer team must forfeit its back-to-back state championships because a pair of players have been deemed ineligible because of dual residency.

Because of the ruling by the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association, all games in which the sisters played had to be forfeited, including playoff games that came out to be 33 total games.

The sisters and their family owned a home and resided within the school district during both seasons, Verdigris school officials said in a press release. While awaiting job-related transfers, the parents continued to work and reside part time in the Houston area, which by OSSAA rule constitutes a dual residence.

“We recently learned of it and asked Verdigris to investigate it,” OSSAA executive secretary Ed Sheakley said. “I would like to applaud the way the Verdigris administration handled things. They were very cooperative.”

Verdigris defeated Sequoyah-Claremore for this year’s title and beat Metro Christian for the 2009 title.

Verdigris superintendent Mike Payne said the situation and ruling was “unfortunate and devastating for our team, school and community.”