Morse Relay Team Wins Appeal

The Morse girls’ 49.21-second victory in the 400-meter relay at Saturday’s San Diego Section finals was reinstated by an appeals board Tuesday.

The quartet was disqualified immediately after the race because a zone judge ruled anchor runner Monica Henderson did not complete the baton pass with Latoya Crews within the passing zone.

The controversy came when Henderson dropped the baton, then retrieved it before making up some five meters on Lincoln’s Andrea Rogers to win the event. It was ruled that Henderson picked up the dropped baton outside of the passing zone, and Lincoln was handed the victory in a time of 49.34.

A videotape shot by one of the Morse runner’s fathers and brought to the appeals committee by Coach Gary MacDonald showed the baton was picked up within the passing zone.

“It was determined by the committee, after viewing videotape, that (the baton) was barely inside the zone,” said Section commissioner Kendall Webb. “I mean, we’re talking inches.”

There was an irony in Morse’s appeals victory--MacDonald, the meet director, is steadfastly opposed to the use of unauthorized videos in such matters.

“I am still going to do what I can to make sure unauthorized videos are not available,” MacDonald said.

The decision by the appeals committee--made up of Webb, Valhalla Principal Bob Avent and Christian Principal Ed Giles--bumps Mt. Carmel out of the state meet. Mt. Carmel moved into third place when Morse was disqualified. Only the top three teams advance to the state championships.

Morse has the fastest time in the county this season, 48.42.