Most track and field athletes typically are coached not to dive for the finish line.
But conference championships apparently are different story. And when Texas A&M junior hurdler Infinite Tucker was competing against teammate Robert Grant for the SEC Championships in the 400-meter hurdles over the weekend, he couldn’t resist.
Tucker took a complete swan dive to cross the finish line shortly before Grant and win the race.
His dive did not seem to be intentional. It actually looked like he might have started his finishing lean a few yards too early before compensating as he finished with a full dive over the line.
Tucker’s finish is not illegal, as long as he finishes within his lane.
And he did with a finish just a blink before Grant.
He went full Superman! @aggietrk's Infinite Tucker goes ALL OUT for the gold. #SCtop10 pic.twitter.com/gEr05kdPd9
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) May 12, 2019
Tucker’s late charge is understandable, considering his personal history in the race. In last season’s conference finals, he was nosed out at the end and finished second.
“Look, I closed my eyes over hurdle 10. I opened it, saw my ma at the finish, and I jumped to give her a hug,” Tucker told ESPN after the race. “That’s all it is.”
It ended up as one of the most memorable finishes in recent track and field history.
