A group of Middletown track athletes is petitioning the district to allow their coach to attend a final meet out of state.

Students say their coach Eric Hipsman is not allowed to join them for a national relay in Oregon next week since the school year is over.

Many are seniors and say they are devastated Hipsman can't come.

They say Hipsman is the reason they made it to nationals and even helped pay for some of the kids to take the trip.

"We love him to death. For him not to come, it's a travesty to us. That's our guy," said senior Steve Banton.

News 12 reached out to the Middletown School District, but it declined to comment. So far, the online petition has several hundred signatures.

Students hope it makes a difference before they leave on Tuesday.