NC high school track team files appeal after state championship disqualification
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Mallard Creek has requested NCHSAA review after official disqualified their relay finish.
- Officials said a prior taunting warning led to Brown's disqualification.
- The disqualification left Mallard Creek second and cost them the state title.
Mallard Creek High School has started an appeals process with the N.C. Dept. of Public Instruction over an official’s decision that cost the Mavericks a third straight state championship.
At Saturday’s N.C. 8A state championship in Greensboro, the Mavericks, trailing by two points in the final race, would seal the title with a win in the boys’ 1,600-meter relay.
N.C. State recruit Nyan Brown, the team’s star, was running the final leg.
As he crossed the finish line, well out in front, Brown held up the back of his hand, all five fingers outstretched. Mavericks coach Sam Willoughby said it was to signify three straight outdoor state titles to go with two straight indoor titles the team had won in the 2025 and ‘26 seasons.
Officials disqualified Brown for the act, saying the Mavericks senior had been warned earlier for celebrating in an earlier race.
Willoughby said Brown had not.
“I was not told, and he was not told,” Willoughby told The Observer on Monday afternoon. “That became a ‘he-say, she-say’ thing. At the end, (the official) claimed she gave Nyan a warning. I kept asking her, ‘Are you sure? Are you sure you had the right kid?’ He said, ‘Coach, she never said anything to me.’”
Top 5 time, big celebration
Earlier in the day, Brown ran the fifth-fastest time in the United States this year in winning the 300-meter hurdles. The N.C. State recruit celebrated in front of a group of cameraman, his back to the other runners, and then hugged teammates and shook hands with at least one competitor.
Meet officials say they gave Brown a warning for violation of a taunting rule, which seeks to prohibit “any action or gesture intended to embarrass, ridicule or demean others.”
By this national rule, athletes are not permitted to celebrate, hold up their hands in victory or clench fists while crossing the finish line or completing a trial. Additionally, the rule says a runner must complete the activity before any celebration begins.
Brown’s 300-meter hurdles celebration was well after he finished the race. The second one was not.
The Observer reviewed hundreds of images shot by NC MileSplit at the state finals and found dozens of athletes celebrating by raising one hand or two hands. Some pointed to the wrists. One held up three fingers to celebrate winning three state titles. Several others held their arms outstretched while looking directly at the group of camera people sitting behind the finish line that Brown did.
Willoughby felt his team and his runner had been singled out.
“I thought that was just some targeting, maybe they didn’t want us to win for some reason,” Willoughby said. “I don’t know what the reason was. When she threw the flag up as soon as he crossed the line, I knew it was on us. I was like, ‘How can this happen.’”
Officials meet, coach fears the worst
After the DQ flag went up, Willoughby said he ran over the official, who told him she was writing Brown up, but said it didn’t mean an automatic DQ. But as a larger group of officials began to discuss the situation and the stadium went quiet — “It was dead silence,” Willoughby said — the Mallard Creek coach began to fear the worst.
“In the back of my mind, I’m like, ‘The officials are going to stick together,” he said. “They don’t want to prove each other wrong. I was hopeful, but I knew deep inside.”
The official ruling came after about 10 minutes. The DQ stood. Mallard Creek finished second in the team totals.
No 3-peat.
Videos of Brown’s finish, and the controversy it stirred up, got millions of views online as national sports figures and news sites shared them and wrote posts and articles.
A post from former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III, for example, generated more than 2.5 million views.
A High School was ROBBED of a State Championship. The Mallard Creek boys track and field team was disqualified for taunting because (Nyan) Brown raised his hand before crossing the line to win the 4x400m relay. THIS ISN’T TAUNTING OR UNSPORSTMANLIKE.
On Sunday, NCHSAA commissioner Que Tucker issued a statement.
“Judgment decisions made by meet officials are done with the full knowledge of (the National Federation of High Schools) Track & Field Rules as well as rules and expectations of the NCHSAA relative to unsporting behavior and actions,” Tucker said. “We recognize there is deep disappointment experienced by the student-athletes, coaches, and the school community involved.”
Willoughby said Brown was in disbelief after the ruling and after the meet.
“He said, ‘How can this happen?’” Willoughby said. “He said, ‘I’ve done nothing too egregious.’ He’s very mature for his age, so no tears, no cussing and no anger. He was just like, ‘Oh man. What happened.’”
An opportunity for a larger conversation
Sunday night, Brown — who was named an NCHSAA sportsmanship winner during the 2025 indoor state championship — put out a statement on Instagram.
He said, in part, “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.... I will continue learning from this experience, and I hope conversations like this help create clearer expectations for how young athletes can express joy in meaningful moments.”
NCHSAA spokesperson Brandon Moree told The Observer that the association received the email from Mallard Creek. Moree added that, per its handbook, the association considers the ruling of an official to be a final decision.
To file its appeal, Mallard Creek made a formal request to the NCHSAA and the state Dept. of Public Instruction. Now the case will go before an independent appeals board..
“I don’t know if any change will happen,” Willoughby said, “but we at least want to have a voice.”
The NCHSAA released a statement Tuesday morning.
“Over the past several days, the conclusion of the 8A Men’s Track and Field Championship has generated significant discussion across North Carolina and beyond. The NCHSAA recognizes and understands there is deep disappointment experienced by the student-athletes, coaches, and the school community involved.
“As previously stated, officiating decisions made during competition are judgment calls administered by certified meet officials under NFHS playing rules and NCHSAA rules relative to unsporting behavior and actions, and are considered final decisions. The Association appreciates the efforts of the officials who are tasked with applying and enforcing those rules during our championship events.
“Under state law, an aggrieved party may challenge the decision of an official that results in disqualification by appealing to an independent appeals board appointed by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction. This process is intended to provide a fair opportunity for a thorough review of the officiating decision. Following the established appeals process outlined in the NCHSAA Handbook and state procedures, Mallard Creek High School has exercised its right to such an appeal through the Independent Interscholastic Athletic Appeals Board administered by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. The NCHSAA respects the right of member schools to utilize that process and appreciates the importance of ensuring all concerns are heard through the appropriate review structure.
Because that process is underway, the NCHSAA will not provide further public comment regarding the specifics of the matter.”
Brad Alford, director of athletics for NCDPI said the appeals board would make a ruling within 30 days, via a statement to The Observer:
The Independent Interscholastic Athletics Appeals Board has received an appeal from Mallard Creek High School regarding a ruling at the State Track & Field Meet. State Board of Education Policy ATHL-013 outlines a detailed process for reviewing appeals of decisions by an athletics rule administrator, in this case the NCHSAA. The Appeals Board is currently reviewing the appeal and will issue a decision within 30 days. Since the appeal remains pending before the Appeals Board, we are unable to comment further on the case at this time.
Coach, are you OK?
Monday at school, Willoughby said many of athletes stopped by his classroom to check on him.
“They’re like, ‘Are you OK coach?’” Willoughby said. “I’m like, ‘Nobody died. It just sports, man, you know?’ They’re looking out for me and my well-being like I was wronged. But they’re such a family, man.”
Four years ago, Mallard Creek lost a conference tournament championship because of one of its best sprinters received a DQ for getting involved in an altercation with some rival competitors in the stands.
That runner was dismissed from the team, which hurt the Maverick’s 100-meter, 200-meter, and 400-meter relay teams. At the state meet, a few weeks later, the Mavericks didn’t have a top 15 finisher in either sprint race and finished fourth in the 400-meter relay.
A team that was trending towards being a state title favorite finished 16th in the team totals.
The next season, Mallard Creek finished runner-up in the state finals. In the 2024 and ‘25 seasons, the Mavericks won the title.
Willoughby sees no reason why his team won’t have a similar bounce-back next year — no matter what happens with an appeal.
“I’m just in disbelief about what happened, but I’m not angry,” Willoughby said. “Our boys know what they did. They know they’re the champs. Having a trophy doesn’t validate our greatness. And as for next year, (winning state) is the plan. As long as I keep the same coaching staff, we’ve always got a shot.”
This story was originally published May 18, 2026 at 4:52 PM.
