Sportsmanship Reigns In Final Chapter Of New Jersey HS Cap Controversy

Sportsmanship reigns in the final chapter of the cap controversy we’ve been following at the Greater Middlesex Conference Championships in New Jersey.

As a refresher on the situation, Latvian-born Rich Fortels, a senior at Monroe High School in Monroe Township, NJ, competed in the conference meet as an independent swimmer, as was permitted under league rules since Monroe does not have an official swim team.

However, what was not permitted under league rules, was the fact that Fortels wore a swim cap bearing his club team’s name, Peddie Aquatics, as opposed to a high school. This violates the National Federation of State High School Association rules, thus rendering the cap illegal, even though the piece of gear offers no competitive advantage.

At the meet, Fortels was called out for the disqualification in one event, but not another. Swimming in his club cap, Fortels scored a first-place finish in the men’s 100 freestyle (46.73), with no one apparently noticing his cap displayed his club team’s monniker.

The senior then raced the 100 backstroke, where he also took first place (51.30), clearing a new meet record. In that race, however, while wearing the exact same cap, Fortels was called out for a disqualification due to the cap not bearing a high school name.

With the Monroe High School appeal on the disqualification decision having been denied last week, the situation had come to a close…..or so we thought.

In the spirit of sport, 100 backstroke second place finisher Michael Spark of Metuchen High School traveled to Monroe High School on Monday, February 8th and actually presented disqualified Fortels with the event’s championship medal.

Said Spark in a meeting with Fortels at the high school, “You beat me fair and square. You broke the meet record. You proved to everyone that you are the better athlete and the better swimmer. You were the clear winner. You beat me by three seconds. You deserve all the recognition. I want you to take this.”

Carl Buffalino, Conference President, commented on the situation that, “Winning is great, but one of the core values as educators that we try to teach our student-athletes is sportsmanship and doing what’s right.” Buffalino continued, “Today, Michael is my hero, because he did what’s right.”

Initially, Fortels was hesitant in accepting the gesture, stating, “I want to thank you, but I cannot accept the medal because it is not recognized,” but the athlete finally relented.

Assemblyman Patrick Diegnan, D-Middlesex, who chairs the state Assembly Education Committee, said Spark’s gesture, “Clearly shows the character of this young man, which comes along with the true meaning of sportsmanship that teaches character and doing the right thing. This is above and beyond. This young man is a role model for everybody to follow, adults and children alike.” (mycentralnewjersey.com)