PIQUA – The Piqua Athletics Board is supplying their wrestling team with ringworm antibodies to reduce the need for showers throughout the upcoming season.
The decision follows a series of changes in the school’s utilities budget, which has seen cuts in order to fund the school’s mascot rebrand to “The Piqua Football Team.”
Scottie Plinkett, Piqua’s Associate VP of Athletics, stated that the school has exceeded its water budget each winter for the past 10 years, and was the first one asked to make cuts.
“The water used to shower the wrestlers after every single practice really screws us. Making a change here was the low-hanging fruit. It also reduces the risk of injury, since them wrestlers loved to lather up and make treacherous slip ‘n slides in the locker room,” said Plinkett.
High school wrestlers know ringworm better than anybody, and are expected to handle the antibodies pretty well. Parents have all signed waivers that do not make the school liable for any health-related consequences.
“Personally, I now feel better about my kid rollin’ around with other sweaty boys on those mats. Knowing that he’ll be safer from shower-related injuries also makes up for the other dangers of being on the wresslin’ team,” said Tammy McGilvery-Montgomery, a Piqua Wrestling parent.
Wrestling coaches are also on board with the plan, and believe it will allow their team to “battle without fear” as they roll around on the mats.
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