Miami Norland (FL) High junior and 18-year-old Tyrese Cooper was released from a Miami jail following his arrest on Monday by Miami-Dade Police offers on four charges ranging from attempted grand theft and criminal mischief, CBS Miami reported.
The South Florida high schooler, a track and field star since his freshman season, was hoping to run at the state championships beginning Friday in Jacksonville at the University of North Florida. He maintained his innocence when asked of his involvement.
"Wrong place, wrong time, for sure," Cooper told CBS Miami. "Wrong place, wrong time, wrong crowd."
News outlets in Miami reported that Cooper's bond was set at $20,000.
Asked of his arrest and involvement at Miami International Airport with two others who were also picked up on Monday, Cooper responded, "Picking up two friends. No cars were stolen. No cars were missing."
But it is unclear whether Cooper, who has qualified for the 100m, 200m, and 400m at the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 3A Championships, will be able to compete starting on Friday in Jacksonville during preliminary action.
Florida statutes state: "If a student is convicted of, or is found to have committed, a felony or a delinquent act that would have been a felony if committed by an adult, regardless of whether adjudication is withheld, the student's participation interscholastic extracurricular activities is contingent upon established and published district school board policy."
A report from the Miami News Times on Tuesday said that Miami Norland athletic director Robert Ryan, when discussing Cooper with Miami Gardens Xpress coach and guardian Darius Lawshea, said that the high school junior would not compete at states.
In the past year, Cooper has received collegiate interest from a handful of programs, including one recent verbal football offer from Florida State University, which Cooper has posted about on social media.
The rising senior said he still has hopes of competing at the next level.
"I hope none of my scholarships get taken away from me because of this incident," he told CBS Miami.
Related Links:
