Boys denied spots on girls' Gymnastics teams

BOHEMIA, Long Island (WABC) -- Two boys on Long Island are fighting to be part of the girls' gymnastics teams at their respective high schools.

Liam Summers, who is a sophomore at Connetquot High School, participated on the girls' team last year but was told this year he was too good to be on the team. Christian Berbert, a sophomore at Commack High School, was told the same thing.

No high school on Long Island offers an all-boys gymnastics program, which makes the boys eligible to participate on the girls' teams.

Both Summers and Berbert are appealing to Section XI, which is the governing body for high school sports teams in Suffolk County. The rules for Section XI state that a boy may not participate on a girls' sports team if he has too great a competitive advantage.

Berbert and Summers offered to participate as exhibition only members on the teams meaning their scores would not be counted during competitions. Section XI denied those requests.

"They are either a squad member or they're not. We are following the rules set forth by the state," said Tom Combs with Section XI.

Section XI has denied all the boys' appeals. They boys' families plan to take their appeals up through the state.

Two different boys on Long Island are allowed to be part of the girls' high school gymnastics teams this year at their respective schools because they do not have a competitive edge, according to Section XI.