Three Cape Fear High athletes investigated for underage drinking
Three Cape Fear High School athletes are being investigated for possible involvement in underage drinking. All three could be barred from athletic competition for 365 days.
According to Cumberland County court records, Cape Fear baseball player Blake Wilson and softball players Lindsey Vicary and Evie Johnson were given citations charging them with underage drinking by a Cumberland County sheriff’s deputy on Dec. 26.
Leon Mack, student activities director for the Cumberland County Schools, said the school is conducting an investigation into the incident.
He said once the investigation is completed, he will meet with principal Jeff Jernigan and athletic director Maria Nessen to discuss how the cases will be handled.
Current Cumberland County Schools athletic policy calls for athletes found guilty of underage drinking to be suspended from competition for 365 days from the time of the incident.
“We will consider all factors before a decision is made on the discipline taken against those athletes involved,” Mack said.
Mack said he was first notified of the situation Tuesday when he got a phone call from Nessen.
“We would like to close the situation as quickly as possibly, we hope by at least the first of next week, and issue some sort of statement,” he said.
Vicary was first team All-Two Rivers Conference last season and was named to the Fayetteville Observer’s All-Cape Fear Region team.
Vicary had a 20-5 record as a pitcher with 259 strikeouts, best in the county. She also led the county in earned run average with a 1.02.
Johnson batted .322 for the Colts with three doubles and 12 RBIs.
Wilson was first team All-Two Rivers in baseball. He batted .317 with four doubles, a triple and six RBIs.
Scholastic sports editor Earl Vaughan Jr. can be reached at vaughane@fayobserver.com or 486-3519.