COLOMA -- Coloma High School athletes are used to facing Panthers, Bobcats and Mustangs.

But now they have another challenge: random drug testing.

The School Board at a special meeting Monday night unanimously approved the student-athlete drug testing policy as proposed by Athletic Director Richard Becht. It covers members of all competitive sports teams in all grades, including cheerleaders.

Becht said the district is the first in Berrien, Van Buren or Cass counties to adopt such a policy.

Superintendent David DeFields said Coloma's policy has been reviewed by its lawyer and is modeled after a program in the Grand Blanc schools, near Flint.

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