A student-athlete in South Carolina must be under what age before July 1 to compete in interscholastic athletics?

In South Carolina, to be eligible to compete in interscholastic athletics, a student-athlete must not turn 19 years old before July 1 of the current school year. This rule is aligned with the general guidelines set by athletic associations to ensure fair competition among high school athletes. By requiring that athletes be under the age of 19 before this specific cutoff date, it maintains a level playing field since high school athletes typically range from 14 to 18 years old. Those turning 19 after the cutoff would be ineligible to compete, thus enforcing age restrictions that are crucial for interscholastic sports. This practice is common across many regions to maintain the integrity and competitiveness of high school sports.