One North Carolina high school believes this punishment is heavy-handed.

Mallard Creek High School lost out on a third straight state championship when Nyan Brown was disqualified for raising his hand before crossing the finish line Saturday.

The disqualification dropped Mallard Creek to second place.

Mallard Creek boys track and field was disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct after winning the 4×400 relay in the final event of the day. Had the result stayed, the Mavericks would have won the team state championship. Instead, they remained in second place.

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North Carolina prep rules state competitors can be disqualified if their acts are deemed to be taunting, per wral.com, and the situation has gone viral with plenty offering their opinions.

Mallard Creek reportedly appealed the decision Monday and filed a grievance to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA) Board of Directors and Commissioner Que Tucker, and the Independent Interscholastic Athletic Appeals Board will review the appeal.

“Over the past several days, the conclusion of the 8A Men’s Track and Field Championship has generated significant discussion across North Carolina and beyond,” the NCHSAA tweeted Tuesday. “The NCHSAA recognizes and understands there is deep disappointment experienced by the student-athletes, coaches, and the school community involved. As previously stated, officiating decisions made during competition are judgment calls administered by certified meet officials under NFHS playing rules and NCHSAA rules relative to unsporting behavior and actions, and are considered final decisions.”

Brown had the 4×400 relay locked up for Mallard Creek on Saturday when he held up his left hand and displayed all five fingers while crossing the finish line in his final high school race.

Mallard coach Sam Willoughby told myfox8.com the gesture indicated the fifth straight state title — the school had won two straight in both indoor and outdoor track — the victory would have clinched.

Officials instead disqualified Brown, who said the gesture did not have any ill intent.

“Anyone who was competed against me over the last 9 years knows that I have always competed with respect for the sport and respect for my opponents,” he wrote in a statement posted to Instagram on Monday. “I would never intentionally taunt another athlete.”

Race officials said that Brown, who will run for NC State, had actually received a warning earlier in the meet for flexing toward photographers after winning the 300-meter hurdles, according to WRAL.com.

However, Willoughby and Mallard Creek athletics director disputed that claim.

“For her to say that that was a warning, it’s mind-blowing,” Willoughby told wral.com.

He also said to WSOC-TV, per wral.com: “(Nyan) was never warned; he was never given a personal message to say, ‘Don’t do this again, we’re watching you.’ Never.”

As the story went viral, Tucker released a statement Sunday night that deflected blame.

National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) rules from 2022 stated that “taunting” falls under “unsporting conduct” and is grounds for disqualification.

“Judgment decisions made by meet officials are done with the full knowledge of NFHS Track & Field Rules as well as rules and expectations of the NCHSAA relative to unsporting behavior and actions,” Tucker said, according to WRAL.com. “We recognize there is deep disappointment experienced by the student-athletes, coaches, and the school community involved.”

While the disqualification may have ruined the elation of victory from Brown, he is hopeful this can help lead to positive developments.

“While I am disappointed in the final decision, I believe this moment creates an opportunity for a larger conversation within track and field about allowing young athletes to celebrate major accomplishments,” he wrote. “Celebration is part of sports, especially at championship events.

“I will continue learning from this experience, and I hope conversations like this help create clearer expectations for how young athletes can express joy in meaningful moments.”