High School Track State Champion Disqualified Over Hand Gesture
A U.S. high school state champion track star got his team disqualified over a hand gesture.
A Charlotte high school track and field team was set to win the state championship in the boys' 4x400 relay. Nyan Brown, who was running the anchor leg for Mallard Creek High School Mavericks, crossed the finish line first. However, he and his team were promptly disqualified.
Brown was caught doing a hand gesture before he crossed the finish line. Any kind of gestures or celebrations prior to the finish line are outlawed. Mallard Creek was stripped of the win and dropped to second overall in the meet.
Earlier in the meet, the high school team had received a warning for taunting. So, this was not a lone incident.
North Carolina High School Athletic Association commissioner Que Tucker released a statement on the ruling.
"Judgment decisions made by meet officials are done with the full knowledge of NFHS Track & 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."
The school is planning to fight back
The school, meanwhile, is planning to fight back.
Mallard Creek principal Dr. Jared Thompson told HighSchoolOT that the school is planning an appeal.
"The NCHSAA confirmed it has received the letter," WRAL News reported.
"Officials at the event said Mallard Creek had received a warning after Brown flexed toward photographers after winning the 300m hurdles earlier in the day. Brown's hand gesture was the team's second violation and resulted in the disqualification, costing the team what would have been their third straight track title."
The high school state championship was held May 13-16 at the Marcus T. Johnson Track on the campus of North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro.
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This story was originally published May 18, 2026 at 1:23 PM.