WIAA grants Campbellsport sprinter waiver to compete in state races
CAMPBELLSPORT, Wis. - A Campbellsport High School sprinter has been granted a waiver to compete in the upcoming state championships, the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association confirmed in a statement to FOX6 on Friday, May 17.
Joshua Onwunili may be one of the fastest 100-meter runners in state history, but a WIAA rule related to his transfer status would have kept him out of the competition – if not for the waiver.
"They don’t allow transfer students to compete at the varsity level their first year. It doesn’t matter where you come from," said Onwunili.
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Onwunili started high school at Campbellsport before moving to Ghana, where his parents are doing missionary work, for two years. He is now back in Wisconsin, but his transfer status meant he was unable to compete until the WIAA granted a waiver.
The decision comes two days after a group of Wisconsin lawmakers sent a letter of "deep concern" to the WIAA Board, urging it to reconsider its decision to bar Onwunili from state competition due to "residency technicalities."
Click to open this PDF in a new window.
In their letter to the WIAA Board, State Reps. Ty Bodden, Rob Brooks and Duey Strobel said "the unique circumstances surrounding Josh's residency should not overshadow his incredible talent and dedication to the sport."
Derek Toshner, Onwunili's coach, told FOX6 the transfer rule is intended to prevent the "stacking of teams." The three lawmakers said, while the rule's intent is meant to maintain fairness, it "appears to be an obstacle to fairness" in this case.
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"The decision to exclude Josh from competition based on residency technicalities risks overlooking the fundamental spirit of high school sports to provide young athletes with the opportunity to showcase their abilities and character on a statewide stage," the letter said.
Onwunili hopes to compete in college and the 2028 Summer Olympics, which will be held in Los Angeles, in the future.
Statement from Campbellsport District Administrator Tom Wissink:
Exciting News Just In! We are happy to share that the WIAA approved a waiver request from Campbellsport High School to grant Josh Onwunili eligibility to compete in the 2024 Track & Field Tournament Series beginning with the regional competitions on Monday, May 20th. The CSD worked cooperatively with the WIAA and family through the process to provide the necessary information to support an extenuating circumstances waiver request. We are pleased with this decision. We look forward to cheering on the team as they compete in Regionals on Monday!
