-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Macy Wills of Fort Dodge steals third base against Marshalltown on Wednesday at Rogers Park

The Iowa State Board of Education has voted to approve a rule that would allow eighth-graders to compete in high school athletics.

During a meeting held earlier this week in Des Moines, Thomas A. Mayes, general counsel and rules coordinator, presented a change to rules expanding the ability of eighth-grade students to compete on high school teams. Currently, only baseball and softball allow for that to happen.

Following the vote, the board proclaimed that on Aug. 1, House File 2591’s provisions will be made effective. The same file also changes the transfer sit out days for a student athlete from 140 calendar days to 90 school days.

Fort Dodge Senior High activities and athletic director Brandon Ruffridge noted that the decision has many moving parts to it.

“It’s going to create some great opportunities but there will also be some challenges,” Ruffridge said.

St. Edmond activities director David Flattery echoed those thoughts.

“I appreciate that the legislation leaves the decisions to schools locally,” Flattery said. “At St. Edmond, we plan to evaluate what is in the best interest of our students, programs, and school as a whole.”

During the hearing, Mayes mentioned that, “not all 13-year-old are the same. Not all 19-year-olds are the same. Not all sports are the same. So providing a little bit more direction,” is needed.”

He believes that can come from allowing each school to decide if they want to bring up eighth-graders to compete at the high school level, or leave them with their fellow classmates and teammates.

Along with the ruling going to effect on Aug. 1, a public hearing is scheduled for Aug. 11 with a permanent vote set for the following month.