Updated
Mallard Creek has exercised its right to an independent appeals board appointed by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Watch the NCHSAA 8A State Championship Boys 4x400m Heat 2
NCHSAA 8A State Championship Results
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Four long days of the NCHSAA Outdoor Track & Field State Championships wrapped up today with the 6A and 8A State Championships.
Going into the 4x400m Relay Jordan held a 74 to 72 points lead over Mallard Creek. Mallard Creek had the top 8A 4x400m on the season at 3:15.10, and Jordan the 8th fastest at 3:21.33.
Mallard Creek had the baton out front going into anchor leg handing off to Nyan Brown, who earlier in the day set the North Carolina 300m Hurdles State Record running a 35.96. Nyan Brown would bring home the win to secure 10 team points for the 4x400m win and the NCHSAA 8A Team Title throwing his arm up in the air just before crossing the finish line.
Mallard Creek would finish in 3:15.98 second with Hough taking second in 3:16.99 and South Mecklenburg third in 3:17.32. Jordan would finish 13th out of team scoring contention.
However, an official's yellow flag soon after goes up that there was a disqualification. Mallard Creek was disqualified for taunting violating rule 4-6-1 per the live results.
NFHS Rule 4-6 is listed as Unsportsmanlike Conduct including taunting, criticizing officials, using profanity directed at someone, physical contact, or exhibiting flagrant/rebellious behavior.
Earlier in the day when Brown set the 300m Hurdle State Record he was flexed to the photographers beyond the finish line in celebration and turned around walking back to towards the start finishing line and was seen celebrating with a teammate. After this race he received a warning for taunting from one of the officials. With his hand going up prior to the finish line in the 4x400m it was the second violation of taunting and lead to their disqualification.
Mallard Creek protested him putting his hand up before the finish line, which was denied due to him being warned prior from the 300m Hurdle final.
Coach Sam Willoughby of Mallard Creek said "I respect all of the officials for their hard work and dedication to our sport, but just wish things could be more consistent throughout the day. I definitely think if he (Brown) was warned before, I should have been notified."
The NCHSAA and Officials have stated in the pre-Championship Zoom Coaches Meeting, the Thursday before last weekends NCHSAA Regionals Championships, as well as during the Coaches Meeting and Athletes Meeting prior to the meet where electronics on the infield or in competition, taunting and showboating is not allowed and would lead to disqualification. Warnings are considered a teachable moment from officials to the athletes and coaches are not notified of these.
Jordan would be crowned NCHSAA 8A State Champions with their 74 points and Mallard Creek NCHSAA 8A Runners-Up with 72. The Falcons had an incredible day winning their first boys NCHSAA Outdoor Track & Field State Championship ever.
Hough would also be crowned the NCHSAA 8A 4x400m State Champions.
Boys NCHSAA 8A Team Scores
TEAM SCORE
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1 Jordan 74
2 Mallard Creek 72
3 Enloe 57
4 Pinecrest 45
5 Palisades High School 42
5 Willow Spring 42
