After slowing the playback speed to .25 and rewatching the critical moments six times, I need to revise my earlier observation to report that the Washington runner actually did contact the baton and knocked it out of the Providence runner's hand but will have to leave it up to the judges as to how that stacks up against the Providence runner's swinging wide to block her. Would they be off-setting penalties? People will probably argue this one for years.

Every coach should definitely show the final 20 seconds to ALL their relay members (no matter what the distance) as a learning experience. #1. Washington on the corner tried to pass the Providence runner...both runners were equally strong at that point. Be patient, follow on the corner if you have no clear advantage to overtake the runner ahead of you.. By swinging out on the corner you force yourself to run harder, thus tiring you more. And if you do get to the shoulder of an equally strong runner, if you try to move in without a full stride on the inside runner and contact is made...you are the one DQ'd. Apparently, the corner judge ruled the contact to be insignificant thus creating no advantage/disadvantage...and no Washington DQ resulted. #2. Inside runner, carry the baton in your left hand...outside runner carry baton in right hand. #3. In a close race, when coming off a corner as the inside runner, do not drift "out" in an attempt to block your opponent. Even if no contact is created, this could be ruled as impeding your opponent's progress and cause you to be DQ'd. I do not think any judge ruled DQ for Providence impeding Washington's progress. #4. If Washington used a proper "sling-shot" pass when passing while coming off the corner technique, I think it would have been race over (Washington winning) #5. Because no proper sling-shot pass technique was used, the Washington runner lost all momentum and Providence actually beat Washington to the line. #6. Yes, there was Washington hand contact with the Providence baton (that's why Providence dropped the baton), but the ruling was that the contact was "accidental and NOT deliberately caused" by Washington. I saw no "overt action" by Washington to cause contact with the Providence baton. The Washington runner's arm swing action was unchanged throughout the final 50 meters. Therefore, that's just relay racing...PROTECT THE BATON AT ALL COSTS. You cannot win a race if you do not have the baton as you cross the finish line. So, if you drop the baton, go back and get it, and hope the judges rule in your team's favor concerning how did the baton get on the ground. In my final assessment...the final results were correct and should stand up under any protest.

Looks like the Washington runner knocked it out of the Providence runner's hand.

What an incredible race. I’m a Washington fan but wish the drop never happened. That’s heartbreaking for the Providence runners.

Wow, that was exciting.

There was obvious contact noticeable at full speed that knocked out the baton. Even the commentators noticed the contact during the race.

When you're in lane one, stay in lane one. It's the shortest distance. If you move to lane two down the stretch from lane one, you may be disqualified for obstruction.

When you run the inside lane, you carry the baton on the inside so this can never happen.

Poor kid - I feel so bad for her, incredible effort

Providence runner went wide right - naughty girl...and the baton in the wrong hand!

10:08 (7:55 of the race) from half way around the final turn. At .25 playback speed, the video quality is GREAT - wotta great race, regardless of controversy . . .

the washington girl clearly knocked the baton out of the providence girl's hand. the providence girl should have had her up, she had her hair a mini parachute behind her head

11:16“The replay on this could fill chapters in a book.” That wouldn't be a book I'd be interested in reading.

What a heartbreak. So much grit and grind and then that

Come on, folks, Providence VERY CLEARLY swung out into Lane Two and got instant karma. Case closed. Brava, Washington and a RECORD to boot!

IF the Washington runner had instead dropped her baton - this would have been a chaotic finish - since it was the Providence runner who caused the contact. Thankfully, the runner who was the cause of the contact, is the runner who ended up dropping her baton. Easier for the judges and probably everyone just feels sorry for her.

When the Providence runner pushed out SHE set up the baton hit. I haven't heard the NCAA has adopted NASCAR rules for the last lap. Pushing to the outside AND carrying the baton right there where it can be knocked from your hand - That's ALL on the Providence runner. (Oh and I've got no like or dislike for either school or their athletes.

What a race !!!

The real problem with the race was the third leg runner for Providence. She was terrible and gave up a huge lead and gave the race to Washington. If you don't have a firm grip on the baton you gotta run with the baton in your left hand if there is a runner near you on the outside. With that slight unintentional contact the Providence runner should have never dropped the baton. The providence runer did drift into the Washington's runner lane, which could have been an infraction.

She could have run back and got the baton. She may have taken 3rd or 4th in the end. You can retrieve the baton as it is their own leg of the race. So long as you don't interfere with another runner there is no lane violation in this type of race.

"The thrill of victory... and the agony...of defeat." :) :(

Well done girls , great dig at the end

Flailing arms caused this.

If they are both running with batons no harsh contact needs to be made to provide that the athlete with the baton wasn’t so close that she impeded on the other runners. She clearly was much too close and caused the baton to fall out of her hand. It’s not merely contact that causes these things to happen it’s how close each runners is trying to take over that inside lane. Clearly the runner was crowding the inside lane runner and caused the baton dropping. Shame on that team for accepting victory.

In slow motion, it appears the baton hit the Washington runner's hand or wrist, however, even though each runner was interfering in the lanes at different times, it was the Providence runner moving further into the Washington's runner's lane that caused the contact with the baton. Washington should be the victors IMO.

Providence runner went from the inside lane to the next lane and cut in front of the Washington runner. No foul on the Washington anchor.

Dawg Day afternoon! Conrats~

If your baton falls out.... stop and pick it up and start running again. Why would you just keep running to the finish without the baton?

WOW!!!! Did the Providence runner drop the baton, or did the Washington runner inadvertently knock it out of her hand? There was clear contact between the runners and the Providence runner did drift out, forcing Washington wider on the top of the stretch. I've never seen this happen before. Was there an official inquiry to determine what happened and who actually won?

Other girl hit baton out of hand. Also the W girl shoved her into the rail and should have sprained her ankle if she stepped on it.

Providence moved out to lane 2 and thus created the contact that caused the dropped baton. Washington not at fault, and their wind is totally legitimate.

I am from Germany. The behaviour of the runner in black, changing the line, was so unfair that she had to be disqualified in any case. The right team won, no doubt.

Looks like the Washington runner accidentally baton-swatted the Providence runner, but then Providence veered into Washington's lane to avoid being overtaken. Gotta hand it to the judges, they made the right call on sports(wo)manship! 😄

What a freaking beast.

Such unsportsmanlike behaviour from the last anchor changing lane and trying to block her opponent. Karma ,and she dropped her baton😂😂😂😂

@10:23 contact was made to the baton by the Washington runner which in turn knocked the baton from the Providence' runners hand.

Helluva race. Sad ending but exciting

Washington initiated contact from 125m out, trying to elbow around Providence.

She held the baton in the wrong hand. Brilliant race well done.👏👏

It was a clear knock out of the hand by second place. DQ.

Put it in slow mo at 10:13… W crowds P in and P tries to gain lane fully again by pushing W away. I don’t run… what’s the rule on this stuff?

WOW! If I was one of those Providence runners... shock, dismay, anger, confusion... how did this happen? I can't imagine what was going through their heads... just wow.

"The replay on this is just going to fill up chapters of a book." Yeah, so why didn't you show it? [sheesh!]

She knocked it out of the Providence runner's hand, probably by accident, but fact remains she did knocked it out of her hand! Another ZOLA BUDD / MARY DECKER

Providence forced her opponent wide and inadvertently made contact with her hand. Washington was just keeping her line. No foul when you slow it down.

both teams were making contact, the Washington team made first contact... but the providence girl was probably thinking.. im getting bumped im not going to go down on the rail. i need space.. ill push out a bit to avoid the rail on the straight away. and got the baton knocked out of her hand by the Washington runner.

played back in slow motion it looks like it was knocked out of her hand

Seems like the judges should be automatically review it to make sure it wasn't remotely possible for contact accidental or intentional but I digress.

Seems like the baton was knocked out of her hand probably not intentionally but she was moving to outside lane to block the other runner when it happened, so yeah Providence should be disqualified as they were.

id like to see a closer view of that or a side view if possible cos that looked like the Washington runner knocked it out of her hand whether accidentally or intentionally u cant tell but they had already made contact b4 and yet the Washington runner stayed very close

The Providence runner drifted to her right, the finish would have been contested anyway, as it appeared she was trying to box the other runner out. I don't understand the comments about the baton being in the wrong hand. Right before she dropped the stick, it looked like she broke her wrist, which tells me she forgot she was holding a baton and that's what caused her to drop it. I know it must have been devastating, but the Providence girls will have a story they will tell, the rest of their lives.

They should be disqualified for knocking the baton out of her hand

Great race. What's a baton?

4x200 and 4x300m have more sense

Didn't look like a drop to me. Looked like Washington knocked it out of her hand.

When she dropped it, she shoulda stopped and went back to pick it up. With the lead they had, she still could've come in 3rd or 4th...but nope, she elected to give up causing her team to finish dead last.

Lesson here HOLD THAT BATON FOR DEAR LIFE!!!!!!

Washington girls are awesome!

I don't think the Washington runner wanted to knock the baton way, but she did.

Is it too difficult to switch baton hands so it’s away from the competitor?

dont know that Foerster knocked the baton out of Flockhart's hand but she may have impeded her on the curve before that. so potentially this could have been two DQs for separate reasons and Duke could have backed into the win from third place...

I feel like the Washington runner was running too close tucked in to the Providence runner flailing, and knocked that baton out of there.

The Washington runner on the last turn bumped the Providence runner even though she was as far to left on the inside as she could go, yes the Providence runner came out but she was ahead at that point.

Providence def drifted into the other lane, to block or not she was there.

Confused. At about 09:25 the announcer mentions "the Jamaican fans" but that's Franklin Field in Philly, right? I then googled "Penn Relays Jamaica" and there is one that seems to have the same schedule. What am I not understanding? Thanks..

Providence for Washington.

Dropped baton has to be heartbreak for Providence! 😢

Okay, I see now, when the baton dropped the Washington runner was in the second lane and the Prov runner swung that turn way too wide. Fair enough outcome after better understanding what happened.

Looks like Washington hit her baton

last 80m and both girls are exhausted. Shit happens..

Was expecting chaos. Was let down.

I feel the baton was knocked out of her hand.

The baton was punched out of her hand, probably accidentally, but that’s a sneaky way to win.

I had a Providence Washington Duke trifecta. FML.

I hear a lot of opinions. What do the rules say and why didn't the announcers mention it?

Where’s the chaos in the title of this vid? Looks entirely orderly to me including the Prov anchor not having any reaction if indeed the other runner bumped her. She was in the best position to know what happened.

serves her right for drifting

Washington knocked it out - Providence wins. Providence runner slowed down because of it also!

The washington passing high made contact and caused the drop .

She clearly knocked it from her hand!!!

so there was not talk of disqualification due to the dropped baton?

The judges make that decision. Incidental contact is not grounds for disqualification. At this level of competition that amount of contact would be judged as incidental.

2:13 =race starts=

I feel so bad for the Providence girl! Shit happens! For the rest of her life, she’ll tell this story!😢😢

❤❤

WOW😮

It’s kinda bs because the Washington runner knocked the batton out of the other girls hand.

Sad, but contact happens in 800 so you must hold on. I'd have smiled back at the Penn anchor and said "we're still faster" lol

Maybe the Dutch Femke Bol can coach them.

Well that's one way to win, just knock it out of the hand....

Great, about displaying the date of the event…

Well THAT was chaotic. I wonder what the reaction would be if something actually chaotic happened.

why not instantly pick it up and medal. i was there in front row at finish and never saw the baton fall. Just that Washington was on the board as winner, lol.

..no replay of the finish???

The runner in black brought it on herself, with the wide swing out, which looked intentional.

If Providence runner is going to force UW to outside lane, would've been wise to have baton in her left hand. Providence fault here.

Cheers for the Huskies girls!!!

The baton got knocked out of her hand ... should Washington not be disqualified?

sorry, I was looking at the wrong lap- clearly lane one runner came out of her lane

Clearly Providence's fault-she meandered into lane two (after Washington meandered into lane one) and got too close to the girl from Washington-who's arm hit the stick-not of her own fault.