Despite finishing first in a relay race at their school track meet last weekend in Columbus, Texas, the Columbus High School Mighty Cardinals were revoked of their win and disqualified from the next competition after the anchor runner touched his ear and pointed to the sky. Runner Derrick Hayes made that gesture as he crossed the finish line in the 4 x 100-meter relay, local news channel KHOU 11 News reports. Hayes’ father, KC, said that he believed his son was giving thanks to God. State scholastic rules prohibit excessive celebrations, including raising one’s hands, according to runnersworld.com. Those rules are the reason for the disqualification, the judges say. Columbus ISD Superintendent Robert O’Connor said the team had won the race by seven yards and that it was their fastest race of the year, but according to state rules the decision cannot be appealed.