A North Carolina high school was left heartbroken after a brutal judging decision cost their athletes a state championship.
Mallard Creek won the boys’ 4x400m relay to secure the title, only for Nyan Brown – who ran the anchor leg – to be disqualified for celebrating too early.
During the meet in Greensboro, Brown cruised down the home straight well clear of his rivals. Just a few meters from the line, he held up five fingers.
It signaled his team’s fifth championship but that title was quickly ripped away from Brown and Mallard Creek after an official punished him for unsportsmanlike conduct.
That left Mallard Creek two points behind rivals Jordan High. Victory in the 4x400m – the final event of the meet – would have secured Brown and Co 10 points.
Instead, they ended up with zero. Mallard Creek reportedly launched a protest at the event, only for the call to be upheld.
Mallard Creek thought they had won the boys’ 4x400m relay – and secured a state title
But track star Nyan Brown – who ran the anchor leg – was disqualified for celebrating too early
‘Nyan is devastated,’ Bryant Bailey, the Mallard Creek athletic director, told the Charlotte Observer.
‘He’s very upset, as are we. With the state championship on the line, they decided to make that call and DQ him.
‘And if you go back and look at other photos and videos throughout the week, you can see multiple instances of kids celebrating way, way harder while coming across the line than what I think our young man did.
‘If you’re going to make that call, make it all week long, and not on the last event on the last day of a state meet.’
In a statement to the Charlotte Observer, NCHSAA commissioner Que Tucker stood by the call – despite the outcry.
‘Judgment decisions made by meet officials are done with the full knowledge of NFHS (National Federation of State High School Association) track and field rules, as well as rules and expectations of the NCHSAA relative to unsporting behavior and actions.
‘We recognize there is deep disappointment experienced by the student-athletes, coaches and the school community involved.’
Brown, who has reportedly signed a track scholarship with NC State, had earlier set a state record in the 300m hurdles. It is claimed that he received a warning for celebrating following that race and that teams were warned not to taunt their rivals ahead of the 4x400m hurdles.
