New Jersey high school athletes are sounding off on Alex Rodriguez?s revelations he took banned substances to improve his game.

?I think it?s a shame he took steroids ? because he really didn?t need to,? says Seton Hall Prep third basemen Kevin Spano.

?All his accolades are tainted now,? says John Wiet, another Seton Hall Prep athlete. ?They have a blemish on them, kind of the same as Barry Bonds. Everyone looks at them in a different light now.?

Rodriguez admitted he took performance enhancers earlier in his career when he was about 25 years old. Officials say banned substance usage can start much earlier as students compete for scholarships and professional offers.

New Jersey began performing random tests of athletes on state championship teams two years ago over health concerns. Since the testing began, a student has tested positive each year. Any player testing positive is automatically banned from playing for one calendar year and ordered to a counseling program.