Author to Readers: Dear readers, thanks for keeping up with the newsletter and I appreciate your patience in the gap between the last newsletter and this one. I’m getting married in two weeks and there’s been a lot going on to sit down and get these out. I’ll be getting another newsletter out in the next two weeks and then come July, we’ll be back to our regularly scheduled newsletters!

Before we dive into pole vault, let’s talk about the drama circulating the Maryland State track and field meet. Brody Buffington, a nationwide standout, was anchor leg in his team’s 4x200 meter relay when his early celebration earned his team a disqualification from the event. You can watch the full video by double clicking on the instagram post below from Milesplit Maryland:

In the photo above you can see Brody pointing up before outstretching his arms as he crosses the finish line. The video has sparked a nationwide debate in the track and field world about officiating at meets, with most commentators in support of Brody. According to other news outlets, this is the second time this year Brody has been disqualified related to a celebration. The comments on Milesplit’s posts are a mixed bag of support for Brody and others talking about the types of coaching they received to always wait to celebrate after the finish line.

As a former 3-time Maryland state champion, I know exactly what it’s like to be in that meet. My senior year of high school, I won the indoor state meet championship after clearing my opening height. A win with a similar level of ease that Brody is used to winning in Maryland.

Throughout my entire high school track and field career, there were three things drilled into my team in regards to the rules.

In the NFHS rulebook, there’s technically nothing in there that says athletes are not allowed to celebrate. Section 4-6 of the 2023 rulebook is the area that brings up potential reasons for disqualification. Unfortunately, it’s an area that’s extremely vague. Article 1 basically says anything unethical or dishonorable is grounds for a DQ. It gives a few example but calls out is isn’t limited to those examples. Article 2 also mentions failure to follow directions of a meet official and profanity. There is a specific note that the NFHS disapproves of any form of taunting intended or designed to embarrass, ridicule, or demean.

In the case of Brody, pointing to the sky and outstretching your arms isn’t taunting and the act itself isn’t disrespectful.

The only reason for this disqualification is an early celebration before crossing the finish line was deemed as unapproved conduct and required a disqualification. I think this is incredibly disappointing and believe that Catoctin (Brody’s school) should get their state championship reinstated. However, at the same time, Maryland’s officials are known for being extremely strict and they’ve even DQed Brody before. It is an athlete’s responsibility to ensure they don’t put themselves at risk in coming in conflict with rules. Let me be clear the rule is dumb, and the vagueness of the rule hurts track and field by giving all the power to the games committee. But, athletes should be as careful as they can to not put themselves at risk.

Honestly, the rule should be changed and called the “Brody rule.” The new rule should read, “A contestant is permitted to celebrate their performance as long as the celebration does not interfere or impede any other contestant’s performance. The celebration must also also not be deemed as taunting, physically or verbally.”

I think this rule actually applies quite directly to pole vault. How often have you seen a pole vaulter celebrate mid-air during a great jump? How often have you seen a pole vaulter get tackled by other contestants and even coaches for getting a new personal best? By the logic of Brody getting disqualified, why are athletes never disqualified in pole vault? I’m still in the competition. I’m still clearly in the competition area - I’m mid air!

What’s your take?

In the next weeks, we’ll be covering state meets from around the country and exciting state performances. There’s still several states wrapping up, so that’ll be coming out in the next weeks.

East Division:

How about 4 girls from VT !!!!!!!!

West Division:

Overall, the women’s qualifying was a heartbreaker for so many women. There were more than 10 women between east and west who cleared 4.12m but did not make the championships based on misses.

Content from NCAAs:

Video from all 4 VT Women’s Qualifiers:

Marleen Mulla’s Qualifying Jump:

Coach Dennis Mitchell getting a national qualifier in his first year at Illinois: