The ‘devastated’ track star at the center of a taunting scandal has slammed the officials who robbed his high school of a state championship.
Student-athletes at Mallard Creek in North Carolina were left heartbroken after Nyan Brown was disqualified for celebrating too early in the 4x400m relay.
At the meet in Greensboro, Brown – who ran the anchor leg – was cruising down the home straight when, just a few meters from the line, he held up five fingers.
It was supposed to signal his team’s fifth championship but the title was quickly ripped away from Brown and Mallard Creek after an official punished him for unsportsmanlike conduct.
That decision 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.
Mallard Creek reportedly launched a protest at the event, only for the call to be upheld. The school is now appealing and Brown – who was said to be ‘devastated’ by the decision – has released a lengthy statement.
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
The track star, who earlier broke the state record in the 300m hurdles, insisted he would ‘never intentionally taunt another athlete’ and that he is ‘disappointed’ in the outcome. Brown also accused officials of allowing other athletes to celebrate – despite punishing him.
‘That relay mattered deeply to me because a win would have secured our team’s fifth consecutive state championship,’ he said on social media.
‘I wanted that for my teammates more than anything. They worked incredibly hard for every point this season, and we had seniors on this team who had never experienced winning a state championship.’
He continued: ‘Anyone who has competed against me over the last nine years knows that I have always competed with respect for the sport and respect for my opponents. I would never intentionally taunt another athlete.
‘While I am disappointed in the final decision, I believe this moment creates an opportunity for a larger conversation within track and field about allowing young athletes to celebrate major accomplishments.
‘Celebration is part of sports, especially at championship events. Throughout the week, athletes across classifications celebrated their victories in many different ways, many of which are publicly available online.
‘I am happy for those athletes, and I believe they should be able to celebrate those moments… thank you to everyone who has supported me through this experience.’
Brown, who is set to join the track and field team at NC State, had reportedly received a warning for celebrating after his record-breaking win in the 300m hurdles. It is said that teams were warned not to taunt their rivals ahead of the 4x400m, too.
‘I would never intentionally taunt another athlete,’ Brown said in a statement on Instagram
But he defended his actions in the hurdles, insisting: ‘When I crossed the line, my celebration was loud and emotional. I celebrated with my teammate and dapped up my opponent because it was one of the proudest moments of my life on the track.’
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.’
