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TAMPA - Plant High was fined $250 and placed on athletic administrative probation through the 2005-06 school year by the Florida High School Athletic Association after it ruled a former cross country coach recruited all-county runner Jeremy Meyer to the school.
Administrative probation essentially means any further violations during the probationary period could result in severe penalties, including getting banned from the state playoffs.
In a letter to Plant administrators, FHSAA associate commissioner Dan Boyd said Meyer was, "unduly influenced by (first-year Plant cross country coach) Dan Ecker (who has since resigned) to attend Plant High for the purpose of participating in athletics."
Boyd commended Plant for taking quick action with its investigation after the possibility of a violation was brought to its attention early this year.
The FHSAA's inquiry began in February after it received an anonymous letter saying Meyer was recruited from St. Petersburg High by Ecker, who had worked with Meyer at a local athletic shoe store.
The letter said Ecker made several promises to Meyer's parents, including finding an apartment in Tampa for Meyer and promising to help Meyer earn a college scholarship. Ecker and Plant officials could not be reached for comment.
FHSAA director of communications Jack Watford said Meyer is ineligible for the rest of this track season and all points he scored at track meets will be deducted.
His points for all cross country meets, however, will stand.
Meyer, a senior and Plant's No. 1 runner, won the Class 3A, District 4 meet, placed eighth at the region meet and was 51st at the state finals. With Meyer's points, Plant finished as the district and regional runnerup and was 17th at state.
Watford said Plant told the FHSAA it will appeal at Thursday's appeals board meeting in Bartow.