AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.<\/p>\n
Read our AI Policy.<\/a><\/p>\n The Mallard Creek boys\u2019 track team has won an appeal after a controversial disqualification initially cost the Mavericks a third straight state championship.<\/p>\n Read more More NC school districts going \u2018rogue\u2019 to defy the calendar law. See which ones<\/a><\/p>\n After an emergency meeting from the N.C. High School Athletic Association Board of Directors on Tuesday morning, the Mavericks have been reinstalled as state champions, and they will share the title with Durham\u2019s Jordan high School.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are grateful for the decision and appreciate the opportunity to fully participate in the appeals process as it was intended,\u201d Mallard Creek principal Jared Thompson said in a statement. \u201cWe are grateful for the opportunity to advocate on behalf of our student-athletes through a process that allowed for careful review and consideration of this matter.\u201d<\/p>\n NC High School Athletic Association commissioner Que Tucker said she recognized how difficult the past few weeks were for Mallard Creek and all of the school communities that were involved in the controversy \u2014 and the ultimate decision.<\/p>\n [FOWLER:<\/b> In Mallard Creek HS track controversy, we finally have a common-sense decision<\/a>]<\/p>\n \u201cAt the center of the matter are young people who have invested countless hours into their sport and their team,\u201d Tucker said. \u201cWe appreciate the work of the Independent Interscholastic Appeals Board and respect the process that led to today\u2019s outcome. We are pleased that this matter has reached a resolution and that the accomplishments of the student-athletes involved can be recognized.\u201d<\/p>\n The Charlotte school\u2019s appeal was heard by a three-member Independent Interscholastic Athletics Appeals Board run by the N.C. State Board of Education. That appeals panel included Dr. Rodney Shotwell (retired Superintendent, Rockingham County Schools), Robert Logan (retired Superintendent, Scotland County Schools) and Alice Lyons (Retired Principal, Heritage Collegiate Leadership Academy).<\/p>\n Last week, the panel met for two hours and heard statements and evidence presented by the N.C. High School Athletic Association and officials from Mallard Creek. The appeal centered around a post-race celebration from Mavericks\u2019 star Nyan Brown after he won a relay race that sealed the championship.<\/p>\n While finishing the 1,600-meter relay, Brown raised his hand, five fingers outstretched. Brown and his coach said he was signaling winning five state titles in a row \u2014 three outdoors and two indoors.<\/p>\n A meet official, who said Brown had previously been warned for excessive celebration, disqualified him. Brown and his coach claim they never were told about an initial infraction.<\/p>\n In a statement, the N.C. Department of Public Instruction said the appeals panel concluded that Mallard Creek \u201chad presented clear and convincing evidence that the student-athlete did not engage in unsporting or unacceptable conduct as defined in the track and field competition rules of the National Federation of State High School Associations.\u201d After its ruling, NC DPI said the NCHSAA would then be responsible for any decisions around state championship results.<\/p>\n That led to Tuesday\u2019s emergency meeting, where the NCHSAA Board decided to make Mallard Creek co-champion in the 1,600 relay with Hough in addition to splitting the overall title with Jordan.<\/p>\n Hough finished second in the relay and was declared state champion on the day of the meet following the Mavericks\u2019 DQ.<\/p>\n On his Instagram page Tuesday night, Brown \u2014 a top national talent signed to N.C. State \u2014 made his own statement.<\/p>\n \u201cI want to thank my family, coaches, and everyone across the globe who has shown so much love and support for me and my teammates over the last few weeks,\u201d Brown said. \u201cIt has been incredible. Although I have gotten a lot of attention, this decision isn\u2019t about me. It is about our team. We knew a fifth state team championship was possible coming into the season, and we earned it. We did it y\u2019all.\u201d<\/p>\n Read more LaMelo Ball case: Court filings show how much family wants for fan\u2019s broken foot<\/a><\/p>\n He signed it, \u201cNyan Brown, 10x state champion.\u201d<\/p>\n The story of the Mavericks\u2019 track team drew national attention, and outrage on social media, and was covered by several national outlets.<\/p>\n Mavericks coach Sam Willoughby told The Observer, before the decision was announced, that he always knew his team could lose its case, but that it was important to make it.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t know if any change will happen,\u201d Willoughby said the day before Mallard Creek submitted its appeal. \u201cBut we at least want to have a voice.\u201d<\/p>\n On May 16, at the NCHSAA 8A state track championships in Greensboro, Mallard Creek appeared to have locked up a third straight outdoor state championship as star Nyan Brown crossed the finish line in the final race of the day, the boys\u2019 1,600-meter relay.<\/p>\n As he crossed the finish line, well out in front, Brown held his hand<\/a>.<\/p>\n Officials disqualified Brown for the act, saying the Mavericks senior had been warned for celebrating in an earlier race.<\/p>\n Willoughby said Brown had not.<\/p>\n \u201cI was not told, and he was not told,\u201d Willoughby told The Observer a few days after the race. \u201cThat became a \u2018he-say, she-say\u2019 thing. At the end, (the official) claimed she gave Nyan a warning. I kept asking her, \u2018Are you sure? Are you sure you had the right kid?\u2019 He said, \u2018Coach, she never said anything to me.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n 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 cameramen, his back to the other runners, and then hugged teammates and shook hands with at least one competitor.<\/p>\n Meet officials say they gave Brown a warning for violation of a taunting rule, which seeks to prohibit \u201cany action or gesture intended to embarrass, ridicule or demean others.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Brown\u2019s 300-meter hurdles celebration was well after he finished the race. The second one, after the relay, was not.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought that was just some targeting, maybe they didn\u2019t want us to win for some reason,\u201d Willoughby said. \u201cI don\u2019t 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, \u2018How can this happen.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n After winning its appeal, Mallard Creek is now raising money to pay for state title rings.<\/p>\n Read more R&B star Peabo Bryson, who died Tuesday, was set to appear in Charlotte next week<\/a><\/p>\n