What the hell did that UCLA grab Sowinski and Greer at the finish for?

Geraldo wrote:

He did get DQ'ed. Dunno why. What he did in no way affected who the top 4 finishers in the heat would be

So I assume you didn't watch any of the race, then?

Ryan Martin would very likely have come up to nab the 4th qualifying spot if Hartle hadn't sensed him coming and pushed the other two out of the way to try and barely cling to his qualifying spot.

Watch Ovett in the 1980 OG 800m final and you'll see him do the same thing a number of times...making room for himself by pushing others out of the way.

Agree, it was a stupid move and he should be DQed (he would have made it thru just staying where he was) - great lesson for a young runner to learn. I'm sure he'll never do it again and will be even more hungry to make that final next year.

This thread is a good example of why people hate the message boards.

There has never been a more obvious DQ in all of track and field yet people line up to argue the opposite position.

Hey guys, I fu,ck donkeys! :-)

I've seen Hartle at meets and this move only confirms the behaviour I've seen from him so far. Very entitled

JRinaldi wrote:

Watch Ovett in the 1980 OG 800m final and you'll see him do the same thing a number of times...making room for himself by pushing others out of the way.

Agree, it was a stupid move and he should be DQed (he would have made it thru just staying where he was) - great lesson for a young runner to learn. I'm sure he'll never do it again and will be even more hungry to make that final next year.

From what I recall, Ovett kept his arms down, and used his body and his shoulders.

Nobody just puts their hands up, grabs two people directly in front of them by their shoulders, and tries to catapult themselves forward doing so AT the finish line.

Chet Manly wrote:

Here's the rule (163.4)

"Any competitor or participant jostling, running across, or obstructing another competitor or participant so as to impede his or her progress shall be liable to disqualification in that event."

You can certainly argue that both Greer and Sowinski impeded Hartle by purposely slowing down before the finish line. Then again I'm not sure USATF has any choice but to DQ Hartle as they certainly don't want condone his actions at the finish line even if it was caused by those ahead of him.

And since it's a 9 lane track and 8 were advanced to the final it wouldn't totally shock me if Hartle ended up in the final on Sunday.

You can not impede a runner when in the lead (even when slowing down) while running in a straight line. That rule is referring to if the athlete is moving across lanes to block an athlete.

Secondly an athlete who chooses a line the last 40 meters that is directly behind two runners side by side so he will have to go around has chosen a bad line and is a technical error. No doubt the finish line is hectic but a DQ for "slowing down" is something without precedence.

I've heard some wacky things but this is one of the most crazy rule interpretations ever.

Now pulling a runner to get through is a DQ. Who does he think he is, Billy Mills?

Doclove wrote:

'What the hell did that UCLA grab Sowinski and Greer at the finish for? '

Great use of English

You can't 'use' English, you can however use the English language. Great job criticizing someone's mistake with a mistake.

Maybe he admires Anita Weyermann from her move at about 4 minutes into this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hU3aFIlT3go

Chet Manly wrote:

Here's the rule (163.4)

"Any competitor or participant jostling, running across, or obstructing another competitor or participant so as to impede his or her progress shall be liable to disqualification in that event."

You can certainly argue that both Greer and Sowinski impeded Hartle by purposely slowing down before the finish line. Then again I'm not sure USATF has any choice but to DQ Hartle as they certainly don't want condone his actions at the finish line even if it was caused by those ahead of him.

And since it's a 9 lane track and 8 were advanced to the final it wouldn't totally shock me if Hartle ended up in the final on Sunday.

Hartle pull/pushed a runner in front of him. He affected the finish with this move. The claim that the two front runners slowed down is irrelevant...and not at all clear that they did it intentionally.

I've never seen this aggressive move before...a DQ would be justified.

Red Spirit wrote:

Doclove wrote:

'What the hell did that UCLA grab Sowinski and Greer at the finish for? '

Great use of English

You can't 'use' English, you can however use the English language. Great job criticizing someone's mistake with a mistake.

Are you actually ignorant of the noun use?

You need to heed your own advice

What the hell did that UCLA grab Sowinski and Greer at the finish for?

To get to the other side. Duh.

Hiya folks wrote:

Geraldo wrote:

He did get DQ'ed. Dunno why. What he did in no way affected who the top 4 finishers in the heat would be

So I assume you didn't watch any of the race, then?

Ryan Martin would very likely have come up to nab the 4th qualifying spot if Hartle hadn't sensed him coming and pushed the other two out of the way to try and barely cling to his qualifying spot.

How could you possibly conclude I didn't watch the race? You want to explain that to me.

I agree that a DQ was the right call. My point is Hartle beat Ryan Martin despite the fact he got entangled with the two in front of him. His crashing into those two and pulling them back did not help him get home sooner

This whole thread shows why most runners are regarded as socially inept petty dorks. Dorks who whine about the most meaningless topics and situations. No wonder the average male runner is still a virgin well into his late twenties.

The push was completely justified. It's a tragedy he was DQ'd.

What was weird was the announcers never mentioned it, though it was a blatant foul.

Interesting reactions from Sowinsky and Greer: Sowinsky crosses the line pointing at Hartle and looking over at officials like he is saying "Did you guys get that?" and Greer ignores attempts by Hartle to acknowledge him.

He might have pulled off a "slippery snake" move where you put your hands low and "snake" between the runner by turning your hips. I've gotten by a few guys legally (barely) doing this.

Hartle was fast enough, but not very bright.

Zigmund Zeigmund wrote:

This whole thread shows why most runners are regarded as socially inept petty dorks. Dorks who whine about the most meaningless topics and situations. No wonder the average male runner is still a virgin well into his late twenties.

True. That said, Hartle was probably trying to avoid crashing into Sowinski and Greer who both stepped off the gas and shut down hard. It'll be fun to see Greer blow up in the final. He's talented, but an arrogant arsehole who can't handle it at all when he gets his tail whipped.

Back to Hartle, you can bet all the negative comments are from guys who were never able to advance beyond league finals in HS track, never mind even being able to place in a collegiate dual meet.