Duke literally dropped the baton 2 meters from finish line and loses ACC team title as a result (video)

The Miami runner was way out in the second lane. The Duke runner ran the entire leg waving the baton way out wide, into the second lane. It looks like it was entirely the Duke runner’s fault for waving the baton so wide on every step.

Agreed.

Agreed. Quite poor form.

No, that was a small part of it, she was actually physically running on the line between 1 and 2 so she actually drew the contact. The slightly weird carry was a small part too. maybe she was subtly trying to block and paid for it. Unfortunate.

This is irrelevant. The instant the runner crossed the line without a baton in her hand, the DQ resulted. If she would have dropped it with 10 meters to go, stopped, went back and got it, and then crossed the line, she would be OK. Her momentum carried her across the line. It was just an unfortunate incident. I feel bad for her because she is probably blaming herself for losing the title right now.

Rule 7, Section 8f

The same rules and penalties with reference to flagrant infractions or illegal assistance that apply to other track events also shall apply to relay racing. In addition, the referee, after consulting with the appropriate officials, shall disqualify a relay team when:

f. The last runner of the team finishes the race without a baton

She was 1 stride from the finish flying through the air, how is she supposed to go back for it?

It looked to me like Miami knocked it, but maybe that doesn't matter.

Nope, replay shows that the Duke runner slammed it into the arm of the Miami anchor.

In the men's 4x4, VT runner tried to cut in on another athlete after the handoff and did a hilarious and deserved karmic faceplant.

Conference 4x4s are the best

Poor form with this comment from Duke’s coach. The issue was with your runner edging into the Miami runner, holding the baton in a bonkers way, and just not getting the job done. Use this to educate. Don’t use it to play the victim, which Duke isn’t at all.

It was not an unfortunate call but rather an unfortunate accident

The anchor is supposed to carry the baton in their LEFT HAND to prevent accidents like this from happening.

Exciting race though.

Does anyone teach these people to carry the baton on the inside lane of the track????

the duke coaches threw literal temper tantrums. it was actually really disgraceful.

they should be fined just like football coaches can get fined.

Embarrassing tweet. You lost. Get over yourself. Your anchor leg messed up. Be honest and put the blame on her.

Mueller (the guy with the beard) went too far IMO. Should be fined or ejected. Was a very poor sport.

It may be the anchors fault but she laid it all out there. That was 100% effort. You could tell when she finished and was trying to catch her breath. Unfortunate accident but she brought her A+ game.

But it’s her fault. Like fumbling at the goal line. She messed up. She didn’t need to bring a fast time. She needed to use her head and not drop the baton. They win if they come top 6. Or they win if she holds it in her left hand.

Crazy stuff happens in pressure situations. In the SEC conference meet tonight literally half the men’s and women’s 4x4 teams dropped their batons or DNF’d for other reasons.

Wow. What a freaking finish.

This brings back fears I had when I used to coach. If we weren't up by more than 10 heading into the 4 x 400, I always feared something like this.

I'm glad it was an auto DQ and thought the announcers were harsh on her for not going back to get the baton. I don't think she could have done it in 7 seconds anyway. It would be really hard to do it that quick.

I mean if you told someone running an all out 400, once you finish turn around go to the infield grab a baton and come back maybe they could do iti n 7 seconds but here it's going to take a a few seconds to realize what happened, then go back.