‘A marathon, not a sprint’: Southwest Virginia track athlete wins VHSL appeal to get back on track

An update on Ella Rasnake, a Council High School teen who was banned from participating in any sport for a year by the VHSL because she joined a private school basketball squad last year.

Rasnake missed out on spring track and field meets in the spring because of the ban—resulting in her parents trying to convince the oversight league to let Ella run, especially before graduation next May.

Her mother, Toni Rasnake, told Bristol Broadcasting that Ella joined the private squad because Council did not have enough participating female students to field a girls basketball team.

Earlier this month, VHSL’s Executive Committee evaluated then approved a reinstatement for Rasnake who just captured a win at a Black Diamond District cross country meet. Ella will also get to compete a few weeks before her graduation next Spring.

(IMAGE: Property of T. Rasnake / Used with permission)