WATCH: Ohio runner bulldozes opponent at Nike Outdoor Nationals

They say track and field isn’t a contact sport, but the high school boys’ one-mile championship at the 2023 Nike Outdoor Nationals in Eugene, Ore., this past weekend might have you thinking differently.

As the boys battled for position coming into the third lap, Ohio’s Ben Myers and Michigan’s Parks Allen both made a final push–literally. Allen gave Myers a bit of a shove after some accidental contact, and Myers wasn’t about to take that shove lying down. Instead, he bulldozed Allen right off the track and over the rail.

Track and Field Officials…can I get a ruling here? pic.twitter.com/XIn8YNvIwe

— Paul Swangard (@PaulSwangard) June 18, 2023

Allen picked himself up, dusted off his pride, and got back into the race. On the final lap, he showcased his resiliency as he was determined to catch Myers, coming up just short. Unfortunately, both athletes were eventually disqualified for physical contact.

Let’s give a nod to the amazing commentary, which was off the charts, proving that even high-school track races can be as exciting as an Olympic final. Seriously, someone needs to give that commentator a raise and maybe a UFC contract.

WATCH: Fight breaks out after high school 4x400m relay

Interestingly enough, this isn’t the first time we’ve seen high school distance runners turn a one-mile race into a 1980s-style hockey. In March 2021, we had a runner sucker-punch another after being shoved earlier. We don’t encourage violence, but hey, maybe a full-contact mile could attract a whole new audience—UFC or NFL, anyone?