The 4-day 2024 ACC Swimming & Diving Championships have offered undeniable excitement from recording breaking performances to nail-biting finishes. However, come the final day, the event presented a situation away from the impressive numbers for months to reminisce ahead: a disqualification in the men’s 1650 free.

Upon touching the wall first in 1650 Free, NC State’s Owen Lloyd was celebrating his feat in enthusiasm and perhaps a little too early when he raised the scare of disqualification. While the eventual decision garnered a mixed reaction from the swimming enthusiasts, Ross Dant, the affected athlete in question was rather staunch in his opinion.

Ross Dant stands up for fellow teammate

Clocking 14:37.04, Owen Lloyd was all joyful and enthusiastic about his performance in the 1650 Free. However, in the process of celebration, Lloyd fell into the lane of his teammate, Ross Dant who was to be the runner-up. This misstep brought in a flip of the decision in mere minutes as authorities reasoned, “Interfered with another swimmer.” But just when the waves went around, Ross Dant announced his firm stand for his teammate, crediting his work and skills.  “He earned that fair and square,” Dant can be heard telling the reporters as he explains the reasons for disqualification.

As per the rules, ‘any competitor who interferes with another swimmer during a race shall be disqualified’. However, in Owen Lloyd and Ross Dant’s case, the latter had already finished his performance. The fact thus, promoted Dant, who had stayed close by Lloyd throughout the run to defend the swimming talent. “He will be getting that medal,” he adds talking to the reporters. Nonetheless, stating that the rest of the swimmers in the heat had not touched the wall, Lloyd’s disqualification remained unchanged. With that next names on the list took the podium, overshadowing a record in the process.

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Swimming talents next in line

When Owen Lloyd recorded 14:37.04, he hadn’t just touched the wall first but had also set his personal best record. His 14:50.21 last year had positioned him fifth in the 2023 ACC Championships. But with a misstep, the last opportunity to elevate the numbers was lost upon Lloyd as a senior. Nonetheless, the show continued as 2023 runner-up in the 1650, Ross Dant moved up the spot with 14:39.34 to claim his gold for the season.

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He was further followed by Louisville’s Ilia Sibirtsev who posted 14:47.31 in a very close contention against NC State’s James Plage. The latter fell short by mere 10 milliseconds as he recorded 14:47.41. Although the rest unfolded smoothly, the speculated reasoning sparks the need for response on rule clarification.

Read More: “Time for Me to Step Away”: US Swimmer Calls It Quits on Career After 20 Years of Successful Career