Nic Gives Drug Tests To Wrestlers Owen Said Object Is To Help Kids, Not Embarrass Or Chastise Them

North Idaho College wrestling coach John Owen has set a goal of his team winning the national championship - drug free.

Last week, he believes he took a step toward achieving that goal by administering drug tests to his wrestlers.

“I believe it’s a shortcut, if used right, for helping kids,” Owen said. “You identify the problems right away.

“We can let them make a choice between wrestling or drugs. I don’t want to sound too philosophical about it, but there can be some lifetime benefits and some benefits to athletics.”

Sources close to the program said four or five members of the 43-person team tested positive. Owen tested for steroids and drugs such as marijuana and cocaine.

“I think we can help them. We don’t have to embarrass them publicly,” said Owen, who, at a team meeting, told his wrestlers there would be a random test this season. “There’s a lot of drug usage out there. It’s a very real part of athletics, a real part of life. If we can grab a kid right now - we’re not using it to let a kid go - we can help them.”

Several wrestlers agreed.

“I think it’s a good thing,” sophomore Pete Reardon said. “The approach was more taking care of a problem than getting people in trouble.”

“If they’re drug testing people trying for jobs, I don’t think this is unreasonable,” sophomore Lyle Cronk said.

NIC adopted a drug-testing policy two years ago. It’s left to the coach’s discretion whether to administer tests, athletic director Jim Headley said.

“We’re not trying to be the police,” Headley said. “We’re trying to help kids make the right choices.”

The tests weren’t done precisely by the book. That wasn’t financially possible, Owen said. He opted for $12 testing kits per wrestler. Drug tests can cost up to $56 an individual. Funding came from the athletic department budget, Headley said.

“Once again, we’re trying to make sure kids make the right choices. If you’re hamstrung by economics, it doesn’t do you much good,” Headley said.

Owen said he’s gone through something of a coaching metamorphosis.

“Sometimes (before) I put winning in front of principles,” Owen said. “It’s too easy to say, ‘that guy’s doing this and that guy’s doing that.’ It’s easy to say my kids don’t use drugs, but then not test them.

“I don’t want to say winning isn’t important. I’m still committed to excellence. What’s become more important to me is the long term - how the kids turn out 5- and 10-years down the road. The end result.”

, DataTimes