Norman North player says steroid use just not worth it, By: Ryan Aber

7/16/07

It doesn't take long for Beau Blankenship's thoughts on steroids to become clear.

"It's real bad. I think it's cheating, and I think it goes against everything you do as an athlete,” the Norman North junior-to-be said. "Nothing's worth doing that. In the long run, it's not even close to being worth it.”

Over the weekend, the Texas legislator who authored a bill requiring steroid testing for high school athletes said the program may not be ready to be implemented in time for the upcoming season.

Texas isn't alone in attempting to implement a steroid testing program. Last year, New Jersey became the first state to randomly test athletes for performance-enhancing drugs. None of the 150 random samples taken produced a positive result, according to the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association. Florida will also implement a testing program this fall.

But Texas' is the most wide-reaching.

Westmoore coach Mike Whaley isn't sure the financial burden of testing is worth it. The tests can cost in excess of $150 each.

"Just like anything else, the reality is financial,” Whaley said. "If it could be a financially workable situation, we could do it. I've been involved in drug testing for a couple years as a principal but that test only tests for amphetamines, marijuana and those kinds of drugs.

"Who shares the cost? We're looking for ways to cut costs down.”

The responsibility for watching for steroid use falls to the coaches, Whaley said.

"I'm not sure that's how it should be, but that's the way it is,” Whaley said. "We can't walk around like a bunch of ostriches with our head in the sand. If you're monitoring kids real well and keeping accurate records of strength gain, it's not too hard to tell.”

Blankenship said he's known of players who have taken steroids, though none have been teammates.

"If they were doing it, I'd get ahold of them and make them stop,” he said. "If they were considering it, I'd do everything to change their minds. It does a bunch of crazy stuff to you.”

Washington quarterback Tyler Hancock isn't sure testing is needed at the high school level.

"I don't know about here,” Hancock said. "I don't know anybody who does it right now, although I'm one of those people who guys don't tell that kind of stuff.

"But if they can afford it, I think it would be a great thing. If athletes are taking that, it would always be in the back of their minds, ‘What would happen if we got caught?' I'd take it.”

For many athletes, the issue is one of maintaining an equal playing field.

"I definitely think we should test,” said Tuttle's Kyle Ebert. "It's unfair to the people that don't take them.

"I'm sure there are people out there who take them, but I haven't known anyone who has.”