To whom it may concern,

We are here to address the issue of Charlie Pope’s punishment in which we believe he is being treated unfairly. He has sacrificed so much to get to this point and to have it all ripped away by something he didn’t actively participate in is unreasonable. It is almost to the point of ludicrosity to punish Charlie for this act. While we understand what we did brought great shame and dishonor to Torrey Pines, in the words of English librettist William Schwenk Gilbert, “let the punishment fit the crime.” We have undergone punishments physically and emotionally but we stand by our captain, and come at you begging that you reconsider. We believe that Charlie Pope displayed true leadership when he stepped up and admitted to what he had done. He knew that this would all fall on his shoulders. This demonstrates his high values and integrity which he sets for himself. A level that the rest of us have yet to emulate on the team. Furthermore Charlie Pope, during the Cross Country Season, led the team with hard work to place thirteenth in the California State Championships. In addition to this, he finished 35th overall. Without his example it is in the good judgement of this team that we would not have been able to place as highly as we did at the State meet. To add as a Cross Country team and Distance Track team we have never been closer as teammates. He has made an effort to ensure that both of these teams have been warm and welcoming to all new runners. If anyone is more deserving of an opportunity to redeem themselves it's him