People cut the corner before the 1k. The first turn with the hay bales they were already in the other side of them
It started on the very first turn of the course. One guy cut way in and ran behind some spectators and then a bunch of other guys cut inside the hay bales and ran on the inside for most of the first turn. Then it happened on pretty much every other turn for the rest of the race.
Noticed the same. And media running with the pack for 300m many times. Turns shoulder have been roped or fenced. Forgot which runner tripped over a hay bale off the course…
1. Did people cut the corners like this at prenats?? If so and if Mizzou did nothing on their end to try and prevent the issue- then Mizzou is also partially to Blame cause they did nothing on their end to fix an obvious course issue. A prenats race is held as much for Mizzou to figure out logistical issues of the course and management as well as the runners benefit, so if corners and hay bales were cut a mth ago and Mizzou did nothing to make the barriers more impasssble, shame on them
2. Why was this only a girl issue?? I don’t recall seeing people cutting corners during the girls race?
You can't cut corners at nationals like that especially in lead pack...several should be DQ'd
With so many runners going off course, apparently there were no clear boundaries, perhaps it appeared they were going the right way, and/or they were following other runners, and the correct direction was not clear. Also perhaps they were directed off course. There are many reasons for that too happen, but most importantly the boundaries and directions were not clear.
I went to the 2025-2026 D1 pre-championships rule book as well. Based upon information in the rule book, I sent an email to Demetria Young, Jeff Mlynski, Mark Kostek and Jay Fitzwater alerting them to the alleged cheating matter and asking for clarification. I got an out of office bounce back from 3 of 4. I assume they will bury their heads in sand but I will let everyone know if any of them respond. Update #1 Note that one of the people listed had their cellphone on the rules book. He is involved with the rules but not the decision maker. I know this because I just called his phone number. I told him that runners had cut the course and asked him if they were looking at it. He said "that's the referee's decision" and then hung up. I then sent him a text that stated "kindly please ask the meet referee to review the race footage as per the rules he is allowed to look at the race footage. There were several clear cases of runners cutting corners / running outside the lines. Thank you."
Superstriker: Here is the problem. Mark Kostek and Jeff Mylinski are about as arrogant as you can find. They are very, very condescending to coaches and media. It is Mylinski's job to make sure this kind of rules violation does not happen. But he is too busy making himself important. You want to write to the correct person - contact the Vice President of the NCAA for Championships.
You can't cut corners at nationals like that especially in lead pack...several should be DQ'd
With so many runners going off course, apparently there were no clear boundaries, perhaps it appeared they were going the right way, and/or they were following other runners, and the correct direction was not clear. Also perhaps they were directed off course. There are many reasons for that too happen, but most importantly the boundaries and directions were not clear.
You clearly didn't watch the race. The course was clearly marked with white lines on both sides for the entire course. There were also hay bales along the inside of several turns acting as barriers like a rail on a track. The runners purposefully avoided the hay bales to run the inside of the course for long stretches at a time before avoiding hay bales to reenter the course later. A few guys were unable to avoid the hay bales as they re-entered the course and tripped and fell. Everyone that cut the course knew what they were doing and did it multiple times on purpose.
With so many runners going off course, apparently there were no clear boundaries, perhaps it appeared they were going the right way, and/or they were following other runners, and the correct direction was not clear. Also perhaps they were directed off course. There are many reasons for that too happen, but most importantly the boundaries and directions were not clear.
You clearly didn't watch the race. The course was clearly marked with white lines on both sides for the entire course. There were also hay bales along the inside of several turns acting as barriers like a rail on a track. The runners purposefully avoided the hay bales to run the inside of the course for long stretches at a time before avoiding hay bales to reenter the course later. A few guys were unable to avoid the hay bales as they re-entered the course and tripped and fell. Everyone that cut the course knew what they were doing and did it multiple times on purpose.
Also, I forgot to mention that there were several guys that actually ran behind spectators who were watching along the course. And not spectators that were standing on the white line. These were spectators that were standing way back off the inside line. The runners ran behind them as they cut the course.
So she definitely didn't run to her potential unless she's only 8 seconds faster than her teammate.
Her teammate ran her heart out. I'm going to go out on a limb and guess coach Taylor has been careful not to work her too hard, for fear of damaging her. I still think that's the correct call. She's only going to build on this and be stronger for it. If she were injured that would just set her back and reduce her gains from this year.
