UW recruit one of three Auburn football players suspended

Washington recruit Chris Young and two other players have been suspended from the Auburn High School football team for the remainder of the season after violating the district's athletic code Saturday.

Richard Zimmerman, Auburn principal, verified Monday that three players were involved in an incident at the homecoming dance at the Auburn gymnasium, but did not reveal names.

However, two sources confirmed that one of the players is Young, who is among the area's top running backs and defensive backs and has made a verbal commitment to play for Washington. Another source said one of the other players suspended is a starter and the other a reserve.

Young (6 feet 1, 230 pounds) rushed for a school-record 284 yards on just 13 carries last Friday as the third-ranked Trojans (9-0) ended the regular season with a 52-14 victory over Auburn Riverside. He tied the school record for touchdowns in a game with six, giving him 27 TDs and 1,424 rushing yards for the season.

The Trojans face Kamiak (4-5) Friday in a district playoff game with a berth in the Class 4A state tournament on the line.

In an e-mail, Auburn coach Gordon Elliott said he has been instructed not to comment on the situation. Young did not accept a phone call from The Seattle Times.

Zimmerman said the three players were among an unspecified number of students who "made some inappropriate choices" at the dance Saturday. The mood at school Monday was somber, he said.

"People are just disappointed, they're sad," Zimmerman said. "We had some leaders of the school who let them down. But we'll get past this, and there will be others who will step up to the plate. We're still going to be strong and learn from this. ... We're not going to let this stop us."

First-time offenders of the Auburn athletic code are suspended for the remainder of the season or 25 "participation days," whichever is longer. Young also wrestles for Auburn and would not be eligible for the first part of the wrestling season.

Federal Way decision delayed

The Federal Way School District still has questions to answer regarding the grade changes made this fall for a former Federal Way High School student and basketball player.

District officials shared findings of an independent investigation with a special committee of South Puget Sound League 4A athletic directors last Friday. Rick Wells, president of the SPSL ADs and a member of the committee reported details of the meeting to the SPSL Principals Association on Monday. Federal Way principal Lisa Griebel also addressed the group.

According to Curtis principal Dave Hammond, president of the association, members of the special committee have asked for some clarifications on Federal Way's eligibility process as well as dates involved with the student in question, who was part of the Eagles' state-championship team last season and has since transferred to Decatur, another high school in Federal Way.

The SPSL principals directed the special committee to reconvene with Federal Way officials before Nov. 16, when turnouts begin for the 2009-10 basketball season. Wells will report back to the principals at their next meeting Dec. 7.

Sandy Ringer: 206-718-1512 or sringer@seattletimes.com