FORT DODGE, Iowa — Nine weeks ago, Pleasant Valley’s girls track and field team hugged, cried and hoisted its first state championship trophy in 23 years.Now, its title has been taken away.The Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union’s Board of Directors voted unanimously Friday morning to strip the Spartans of their Class 4A state championship and state-qualifying victories after having an ineligible athlete participate.Middle distance standout Kaley Ciluffo competed in three different events against college track athletes in sanctioned invitationals by a college institution from December 2013 to April 2014.She also participated in a meet in early June against professional athletes in New Jersey.According to PV officials, they were unaware of Ciluffo’s involvement in these competitions until June 23-24.”We’re profoundly disappointed, and we don’t agree with it,” PV superintendent Dr. Jim Spelhaug said of the board’s decision. “The board basically made the decision while admitting that Pleasant Valley coaches and administrators were no way responsible for or had any knowledge of the actions of this family and this student.” more
