Churchill County Sheriff’s deputies busted an underage drinking party early Saturday morning attended by a large group of teenagers including high school and college athletes.
Sheriff Ben Trotter said seven juveniles were cited and seven adults ages 18 and 19 were arrested, all for being under the influence of alcohol.
Trotter did not release the names of the juveniles. The adults who were arrested are Clay Davison, 18; Thomas Diaz, 18; Katherine Felt, 18; Shyla Howard; 18, Maggie O’Flaherty; 19, Ali Tedford, 19; and Michael Torras, 18.
Both Davison and Diaz are members of the Greenwave boys’ basketball team as are several juveniles. Tedford is a member of the University of Nevada women’s basketball team.
Churchill County High School Principal Kevin Lords said several members of the girls basketball team attended the party, but they were not cited.
Trotter said the party took place at a residence on Marshall Drive, nine miles west of Fallon, and that he will be forwarding paperwork to the district attorney requesting charges on Shannon Davis, 35, for alleged public nuisance and for allegedly contributing to the delinquency of a minor. Trotter said Davis lives at the house.
Justice Court confirmed to the LVN the seven adults are scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 1. The Churchill County Juvenile Office will handle the other students.
According to Trotter, deputies gave breathalyzer tests, but four individuals did not test positive and were not cited.
Lords said the school has enacted the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association policy for the athletes. For their first violation, the CCHS student-athletes face a six-week suspension from participating in interscholastic competition. It begins with the first scheduled competition after the suspension occurs.
Before they return to play, Lords said each student must perform 10 hours of community service.
Furthermore, the NIAA policy states “Four competitive weeks of the suspension of eligibility may be waived if the student(s) successfully complete all components of an appropriate substance abuse intervention program.
The students may practice with the team during the period of suspension if approved by the coach and principal, the same standard set for ineligible student athletes.”
Lords said the team played with only seven players on Tuesday as Fallon defeated Fernley on the road.
The University of Nevada has a different set of rules for its student-athletes.
“The student-athlete will not be in uniform for tonight’s (Wednesday’s) game because of a violation of team rules,” said Chad Hartley, associate athletic director of marketing/communications. “In terms of policy, this falls under the University’s Office of Student Conduct. That office is aware of the incident.