Great news from Texas--very few HS athletes are popping positive on the state-wide drug testing. As a coach and parent, I am very concerned with the impact of A-Rod's disclosure as an user of performance-enhancing drugs upon our youth. If anything, that is why A-Rod and others like him should be held accountable.


Just 7 of 19,000 Texas high school students fail steroid testing

By JIM VERTUNO | AP Sports Writer

2:42 PM EST, February 20, 2009

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A new round of steroid testing for Texas high school athletes has found only seven positive findings in about 19,000 tests.

That's about the same minuscule outcome as in a previous round.

The University Interscholastic League on Friday released results of random tests done on male and female athletes from September through December.

Officials say that along with the seven confirmed cases of steroid use, 10 more students require more testing because their tests showed elevated testosterone levels.

Earlier test results on 10,000 athletes found only four cases of steroid use. With such tiny numbers, some lawmakers are questioning the value of the $6 million program.

Texas has the largest high school steroid testing program in the country.

Check out the blog of Ethan Barron's and his writing about coaching a very competitive DIII track/XC team at a very demanding academic school.

Find it at Coach Barron's Blog.