Choke Job Of The Weekend Goes To... Purdue Women's Track?

(Final leg of the race starts at 02:50)

This may come as a surprise to most of you, but I’m not the most avid follower of the college track & field world. I know I look the part but I just prefer the pro game a little bit more. But when a choke job of this magnitude comes across my internet desk, you better believe I’m going to have some thoughts on it.

First thought: Kendall Ellis is the fastest human being there ever was or will be. She took a fumbled hand off of the baton, bodied Kentucky out of her way, made her move to the outside, put her head down and left everyone else in her rearview. I haven’t seen a chase down this impressive since Ben Watson caught Champ Bailey in 2005. The entire fourth leg of this race all the announcers are talking about is what a disappointment this is for Kentucky and that Purdue has an insurmountable lead. Which is exactly what makes this a choke job.

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Hey Purdue, race isn’t over til you cross the finish line. When the announcers are making proclamations like, “There’s no way they possibly lose this unless they drop the baton or a sink hole opens up and the runner tragically meets her demise,” you’ve officially entered the choke zone if you don’t seal the deal. LOOK AT THIS LEAD!

Lead should’ve been thoroughly insurmountable. Unable to surmount. But this also happens to be the point where Ellis flicks on the burners while Purdue’s anchor starts reading her press clippings, lollygagging, and displaying zero semblance of sticktoitiveness in the most important race of the year.