After a Mallard Creek (N.C.) High School track runner was disqualified for an early celebration at the state track meet in May, costing his team the championship, the internet was saturated in stories about the incident. Now, an appeal to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association has resulted in overturning the disqualification and naming both Mallard Creek and Jordan High School as co-champions.
According to Runner's World, the NCHSAA also voted to name both schools as co-winners of the boys’ 4 x 400 meter relay — the event in which the disqualification occurred.
Nyan Brown, of Mallard Creek High School, was crossing the finish line to win the 4 x 400 meter relay, and he raised up his hand in celebration right before he crossed the line. Track officials claimed Brown’s hand gesture violated the rules, disqualifying him, and Mallard Creek had already been issued a warning for similar behavior earlier in the meet when Brown flexed towards the cameras after winning the 300-meter hurdles.
Related: Early Celebration Costs High School Track Team State Championship
“We recognize that this situation has been emotional for the student-athletes, coaches, schools, and communities involved,” NCHSAA Commissioner Que Tucker said in the statement. “At the center of this matter are young people who have invested countless hours into their sport and their team.”
Mallard Creek High School also released a statement following the decision by NCHSAA. “We are immensely proud of our Boys Track & Field team and honored to be recognized as 8A State Co-Champions,” it said.
In the wake of the disqualification, several publications identified dozens of student-athletes from the meet who celebrated similarly to Brown, but who were not disqualified. Backlash also landed harshly on the meet official who made that call, and many questioned if the official followed protocol when first giving Brown his warning in the 300-meter hurdles.
"I would never intentionally taunt another athlete," said Brown, who will run at North Carolina State next year. I believe this moment creates an opportunity for a larger conversation within track and field about allowing young athletes to celebrate major accomplishments."
