Athlete with Down Syndrome cleared to play high school football

DETROIT (AP) - The council that governs high school sports in Michigan has decided that a 19-year-old student with Down syndrome can participate in athletics during his senior year.
  
Dean Dompierre says he found out Thursday that the Michigan High School Athletic Association's executive committee approved a waiver for his son, Eric. The decision followed a vote earlier this year by state schools to lift the age limit for sports eligibility under certain circumstances.
  
The push to loosen the requirement was accelerated after Eric Dompierre petitioned to be able to play sports this season at Ishpeming High School, west of Marquette in the central Upper Peninsula. Dompierre started school late because of the genetic disorder.
  
Eric Dompierre is a kicker and practiced this week with the football team. He also plays basketball.