Last fall, Lynchburg Pacers runners Sophia Jantomaso and Micah Pratt competed alongside some of the top athletes in the state and even received national recognition for their efforts.
Their best cross country times — commonly referred to as personal records — would have placed Jantomaso and Pratt among the top 5 finishers in most of the Virginia High School League’s Cross Country Championships last November.
But the two runners, and others like them who are home-schooled across Virginia, often are viewed as outsiders and barred from competing in many VHSL-sanctioned events.
That soon may change if Gov. Terry McAuliffe signs into law a bill that would allow home school students to participate in public-school athletics and other events.
House Bill 1626, nicknamed the “Tebow Bill,” recently passed the General Assembly after being introduced by Del. Rob Bell (R-Albemarle) and now awaits McAuliffe’s approval.
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It would not require the state’s 132 school divisions to allow home-school students to participate, but it would allow each division the chance to opt in or out of the program.
Currently, 30 states allow home-school students to take part in public school athletics. The nationwide movement is named after Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow, who although homeschooled, was allowed to play for his high school in Florida.
For years, the debate has swirled in Virginia about whether home-school athletes should have the right to compete in public schools. The VHSL, a public-school-only association, takes a staunch stand against the bill.
“It creates disparity and eligibility requirements for students,” VHSL Executive Director Ken Tilley said. “It creates inequities for schools if it becomes law. Some would play by one set of rules and some by another.”
The bill would require home-schoolers to pass standardized tests for two years before taking part in athletics; they would be unable to compete in school zones outside of where they reside.
The Lynchburg Home School Athletic Association — to which the Pacers belong — offers cross country, boys and girls basketball, volleyball and boys and girls soccer. Athletic Director Todd Asselborn said the issue is divisive even among area parents who home-school their children.
“I think it’s good to have choices,” Asselborn said. “I’d like to have the option of putting my kids in different situations, especially when I pay taxes … I’m in favor of having choices. That being said, I probably wouldn’t have my kids playing in public schools, because we choose to be outside that.”
The Pacers have had a mild amount of success. In addition to its decorated runners, the varsity boys basketball team won the 2014 East Coast Homeschool Basketball state title.
Cross country coach Jake Reed expressed reservations about the legislation. Under his guidance, Jantomaso, a freshman, set a personal record of 17.48 — a blistering pace — in 2014. She also was named second-team nationally by Milestat.com. Pratt, a sophomore, ran a 15.48 personal record and was ranked among the top 15 runners in Virginia by Milestat.
“The thing that scares me about the Tebow Bill on our team level is our kids have no desire to compete with public schools … We’re happy with the team and the organization that we’ve established.”
Reed added disagreements about the Tebow Bill exist among the LHSAA. He believes his runners have a decided advantage, though.
“We can emphasize training,” Reed said. “…I’ve always thought it was a blessing that our kids can train properly, whereas public school athletes are forced to [participate] in all these dual meets.”
Currently, Lynchburg City School students must be enrolled full-time in order to participate in athletics. There’s no indication yet if the Lynchburg City School Board would take on the issue if McAuliffe signs it into law.
“We will wait until the Governor takes any action before we comment,” said Cindy Babb, the division’s public information coordinator.
The bill’s passage through the General Assembly comes at a critical time in the VHSL’s history. Last year, the league’s executive committee voted 27-0 to allow transgender athletes to participate in sporting events. That policy is a strict one, though, and requires students to have undergone a sex reassignment and meet additional criteria, such as having surgery to remove external sex organs and take hormonal therapy.
Then later in 2014, Liberty Christian Academy sued the VHSL for the right to compete in athletic contests, a move that has the potential to shake the foundation of the organization. If LCA wins the suit, the VHSL could be forced to allow other private schools to join.
A trial is set to take place in Lynchburg in October.
The Tebow Bill advancement to McAuliffe’s desk is unprecedented, Tilley said.
“That’s the first time in 20-plus years that it has reached this point,” he added.
Contact Ben Cates at (434) 385-5527 or bcates@newsadvance.com. Follow him on Twitter: @bencates8