Heading into the last 50 meters of the race, Baker was running in the lead, trailed closely by Peter Hollatz of Brown. But as the two entered the homestretch of the final lap, Baker veered to his right, from lane one over into lane three.

Hollatz eventually overtook Baker, who finished second.

Or so he thought.

Just as quickly as Baker's name and time had flashed across the scoreboard, they suddenly disappeared.

Baker had been disqualified. Race officials said that he had impeded Hollatz's progress by changing lanes so abruptly.

"I was confused," Baker said. "I wasn't aware I had broken any rules."

Harvard Coach Frank Haggerty protested the decision, questioning how Baker could have impeded a runner who finished ahead of him. The officials, however, upheld the ruling.