North Salinas runner, family open to legal action: ‘We’re in another leg of the race’

SALINAS – Clara Adams and her family are open to exploring legal action against the California Interscholastic Federation for their decision to disqualify the teen from the May 31  track and field state championships in Clovis, her lawyers announced in a press conference Friday at the North Salinas High School library.

After finishing first in the 400 meters, Adams got hold of a fire extinguisher her father had brought into the stadium and sprayed her shoes. Adams, who just finished her sophomore year at North Salinas, did this act, according to her father, as an homage to Olympic sprint champion Maurice Greene, who made the same gesture in 2004. CIF officials deemed this as unsportsmanlike behavior and immediately stripped Adams of her state title.

The Adams family has sought representation from Pointer & Buelna LLP, an Oakland-based law firm dedicated to representing clients against large institutions including police and government corporations according to its website. Adanté Pointer, one of the firm’s co-founders, spoke Friday about the team’s approach to handling the situation.

Clara Adams, shown here earlier this season, won the state meet 400-meter race but was later disqualified. (John Devine -- Monterey Herald)

“Whatever the CIF claims took place … she was a champion before that fire extinguisher and you cannot erase history,” said Pointer. “The time stood, the race was won and now we’re in another leg of the race.”

The law firm has reached out to the CIF to discuss ways to move forward but has so far not heard back, according to Pointer. The firm and the family would first like to settle the situation with the CIF, but are prepared to take legal action if necessary, he said.

“We’re going to give CIF an opportunity which they haven’t taken up till now, which is to do right by this young lady, by her family and by this community,” said Pointer. “They have a window of opportunity. But like all opportunities and windows, at some point in time, they close.

“I call on the CIF to right this wrong, acknowledge the champion that she is …  if you won’t listen to the will of the people, then maybe you’re gonna have to listen to a judge,” said Pointer. “She won on the track but I guarantee we will win in the courtroom. She’s owed nothing less.”

After deeming the celebration unsportsmanlike, Adams was also disqualified from running in the 200 meters. She had one of the top qualifying times going into that race.

“The punishment has to fit the crime but in this particular situation, it seems like the crime was the manner in which they treated Clara,” said Marlon Monroe, also of Pointer & Buelna. “It was one thing to strip her of a championship she deserved … It wasn’t just about crushing her after the 400, they sought and successfully crushed her will a second time for no reason.”

Adams recalled the celebration, noting she knew to stay off the track and away from her competitors before spraying her shoes. After getting a high five from her dad, David Adams, who is also her coach, she took the small extinguisher away from the track and celebrated.

“I went on the grass and sprayed my spikes cause my feet were on fire,” said Adams. “That was a big moment for me… Yeah, I celebrated. I’ve never, ever celebrated like that ever before in my track career… I did that because it was well deserved.”

The CIF announcer, along with the crowd, cheered at Adams’ celebration, said Pointer. But the officials immediately grabbed the 16-year-old’s arm, yelled at her and disqualified her, Pointer added, repeating what Adams and her father had earlier asserted happened.

The day before the race, Adams had qualified for the final in the 200 by running a career-best 23.71 seconds.

“I knew the next day I was going to run faster because I was feeling myself,” said Adams. “We’ll never know what could’ve happened in that final because they didn’t give me a chance to run it.”

Adams has received widespread support from community leaders with many making official statements in support of the teen. During its meeting next Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors will consider sending a letter in support of Adams to CIF Executive Director Ron Nocetti and Bobbi Madsen, who oversees track and field for CIF, according to Supervisor Luis Alejo.

“CIF, a message to them, like the attorney said, we will give you guys a chance to do the right thing, there’s a window of opportunity,” said David Adams. “We all know windows close and that’s our first approach, non-aggressive, just do the right thing. Crown this queen.”

“I’m telling you next year, put your seatbelts on … now it’s personal,” said the older Adams. “Clara, if you know her, she’s humble, she’s quiet, she’s calm… they want to make her feel less than, that’s what I’m here to let her know, ‘you’re more than that.’”

Multiple messages to the CIF this week by The Herald seeking clarification and comment have not been returned.