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East St. Louis students walk out of school after track season ends early

"We want to finish the season. Some of us want to be state champions."

EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. – East St. Louis Senior High School students walked out of school with a message for the superintendent. When they arrived at the school district's administration office, nearly three miles away from school, they chanted "no sports, no school."

Thursday, the district ended the boys' track team season early following a fight at a Southwest Conference Championship meet.

Students weren't allowed inside the administration office Friday. However, Raymond Mix, whose grandsons run varsity, talked to the superintendent.

"I explained the whole picture to the superintendent," he said. "He was reasonable and I was reasonable."

Mix passed along a message to the students.

"He wants all of y'all back in class," Mix told them. "We're going to march back to East St. Louis Senior High School."

The district said it's still figuring out who all was involved in the fight but confirms some of the flyers "contributed to the escalation of the altercation."

Mix's grandson, Raymond Mix III, said of around 14 boys on the team, only two or three participated. He feels the entire team shouldn't be punished.

"I was not involved," he said. "I apologize for what happened and we're all not like that."

It's especially hard for those who are seniors so close to the finish line.

"If I could compete I could probably add thousands more dollars to my scholarship," Mix said. "We want to finish the season. Some of us want to be state champions."

Mix's grandfather planned to talk with the superintendent again Friday afternoon. 5 On Your Side will let you know what, if anything, comes out of that meeting.

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