NCAA Division I Women’s Champs: Stanford Disqualification Controversy Reigns

COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 22. ON the first night of the NCAA Division I Women's Championships held in Columbus, Ohio, Stanford's 200-yard freestyle relay was disqualified due to an early relay exchange.

During the second exchange between Julia Smit and Elaine Breeden, the relay pad registered a -0.07 exchange that led to the team being disqualified.

When a relay exchange falls within the +0.09 to -0.09 range, the human element is automatically eliminated from the equation. For instance, if an official declares an early start, but the relay pads register a positive exchange, there will be no disqualification. The same holds true the other way. If the relay pad registers an early takeoff and an official does not call it, the relay pad gets the final say.

Swimming World apologizes for the earlier confusion from the following paragraph that previously appeared in this article:

"When a relay exchange falls within the +0.09 to -0.09 range, the disqualification is automatic and overrides anything but irrefutable visual evidence where the hands of the finishing swimmer can be clearly seen according to the NCAA."

Prior to the private footage acquired by Swimming World coming to light, the NCAA heard two separate appeals from Stanford University at the completion of the first night of swimming. The committee in place to hear these appeals came to the conclusion that the disqualification would stand as called based on the aforementioned +/- 0.09 range.

Because of issues such as this controversy, the NCAA is investigating the costs of implementing a completely-balanced, lane-by-lane video system at future championship meets that will be able to see both the touch of the hands in sync with relay start footage.

The NCAA considers the matter closed and stands by the policies and procedures put in place by the Association.

There are several questions that remain within this controversy that need to be answered. Does the NCAA have a policy or procedure in place whereby a mechanical failure can be rectified at a later date? Even deeper, what happens if there is a mechanical breakdown with an expensive video system at a later date? Will the NCAA then revert back to the +/- 0.09 relay exchange range?

Click here to watch a video of the questionable start. Note: The video stops before the swimmer leaves the block. Arrows point to the swimmer's feet and the swimmer in the water to help the viewer focus on the correct lane.

Click here to listen to a radio interview discussing the situation and possible remedies.

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