Champion 4×100 relay team disqualified for pointing to sky in celebration? Could it be that simple?
Once I started hearing about the high school relay team that won regionals and then was disqualified for excessive celebration, I thought, I need to see video of this.
So far, I haven’t found video of the Columbus 4×100 relay team. I’ve only seen the 4×100 anchor’s celebration described as pointing to the sky as a religious gesture. If that’s the case, then I’ve seen high school athletes do something similar many times. Even some track athletes, and I don’t remember any disqualifications. I’ve definitely seen it at the state meet, which is next week in Austin.
If the relay team’s anchor was taunting, then a disqualification is probably justified. But that’s why I hope there is video that will surface. We’re only getting one side of the story right now, but it’s hard to ask any athlete to push himself or herself to the limit and then not allow some form of exuberance when the race is complete.
I know sometimes there can be a fine a line between celebration and taunting, but the punishment is pretty harsh.
More at http://highschoolsportsblog.dallasnews.com/2013/05/state-bound-4x100-relay-team-disqualified-for-pointing-to-sky-in-celebration-could-it-be-that-simple.html/ .
The UIL responded:
At the Region IV Conference 3A Track & Field regional meet held on Saturday, April 27 at Texas A&M Kingsville, a relay team from Columbus High School was disqualified by local meet officials for an unsporting act at the conclusion of the boys 4 x100 meter relay.
The meet official indicated the athlete crossed the finish line and gestured upward with his arm and finger and behaved disrespectfully toward meet officials, in their opinion. In the judgment of the official, this was a violation of NFHS track & field rule 4-6-1. The regional meet referee concurred with this decision and the student was subsequently disqualified. There is no indication that the decision was made because of any religious expression. This was a judgment call, as are many decisions of meet officials in all activities.
According to NFHS rules, once the meet is concluded, the results become final. Neither the UIL nor NFHS have rules that prohibit religious expression.
The UIL takes situations such as these very seriously, and is continuing to investigate the matter fully.
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