Mallard Creek Appeals Nyan Brown's 4x400 DQ as 5-finger gesture costs 3rd straight title
Updated
Updated · New York Post · May 19
Mallard Creek Appeals Nyan Brown's 4x400 DQ as 5-finger gesture costs 3rd straight title
9 articles · Updated · New York Post · May 19
Mallard Creek filed an appeal Monday and a grievance with the NCHSAA after Nyan Brown’s disqualification in Saturday’s 4x400 relay dropped the school from first to second in the state meet.
Officials ruled Brown’s raised left hand showing five fingers before the finish was taunting under NFHS and North Carolina unsporting-conduct rules; an independent appeals board will review the case.
Brown said the gesture marked what would have been Mallard Creek’s fifth straight combined indoor-outdoor state title, not an attempt to mock opponents, and coach Sam Willoughby said he was never warned.
Race officials said Brown had been warned earlier after flexing toward photographers following his 300-meter hurdles win, a claim Mallard Creek disputes as the decision draws statewide backlash and viral attention.
Can a viral video and public outcry overturn a call that cost a high school team its state championship title?
Where is the line between a champion's celebration and unsportsmanlike conduct, and are the rules clear enough for athletes?