There should have been two state title celebrations in Monterey County this week.

Tuesday we saw Stevenson School win the California Interscholastic Federation title in boys golf. A few days earlier, North Salinas sophomore Clara Adams dazzled the crowd at the state track and field championships by being the top finisher in the 400 meters.

Yet, the pure joy of Adams’ achievement was quickly extinguished when she was disqualified for bringing a fire extinguisher onto the infield and spraying her shoes.

The moment, which was harmless, was perceived as unsportsmanlike by the CIF track and field committee.

Not only was Adams stripped of her state title moments after the race, but she was disqualified from the meet and unable to compete in the 200, where she was ranked No. 2.

Did the penalty fit the crime?

No.

Should Adams have done it? Probably not — particularly on the infield for everyone in the stadium to witness.

But in her defense, she didn’t spray her shoes in front of her opponents, waiting a few minutes after the race to duplicate what Maurice Greene did several years ago at the U.S. Olympic Trials. Greene, a former world record holder in the 100 and two-time Olympic gold medalist, has come out and defended Adams.

CIF track and field rules do state that no objects — particularly electronic devices — are allowed on the infield or track. I saw it enforced at a local track meet this year.

I’m guessing there’s nothing in the rule book that talks about fire extinguishers. However, I can understand how it could have been perceived as a safety issue.

I am curious how a 12-inch fire extinguisher got past security just to get into the stadium in the first place.

All kidding aside, we’re still talking about a 16-year-old teenager that was stripped of a lifetime goal for an act that was probably more adult-driven.

I don’t want to hear she’ll learn a lesson and have two more chances as a junior and senior. We don’t know that. Nothing is guaranteed.

Who I’d like to hear from is the California Interscholastic Federation. Repeated calls from The Herald and other news organizations asking for an explanation have gone unreturned, which is disappointing.

Why are high school track and field rules so strict compared to other sports in California? We see taunting and excessive celebrating more than we should in football, basketball and baseball.

Yet, an excessive celebration in the end zone after a touchdown warrants a 15-yard penalty and a warning that another act will result in an ejection and a one-game suspension.

What’s the difference?

Well, some feel the fire extinguisher was a safety hazard. Perhaps.

The CIF dropped the ball on this. While most coaches I’ve talked to didn’t appreciate the act, not one felt Adams deserved to be stripped of her title.

Can we do without the theatrics after the race? Probably, although I don’t have a problem with an athlete having fun as long as they’re not shoving it in an opponent’s face.

Listen, I get the CIF’s concerns. If you let this slide, who is the next athlete to attempt an even bigger celebration the following year?

Had Adams done the spraying of the shoes away from the infield and track, we’re probably not having this discussion. As adults, we have to be better with our decisions — from both sides of this debate.

If you really needed to make an example of her act, the disqualification of competing in the 200 later in the evening would have been enough.

It’s still harsh. I can’t even call it fair. But a message likely needed to be sent.

Stripping Adams of the 400 and not allowing her to chase a potential state title in the 200 was more than enough of a punishment.

What really needs to happen in the coming weeks or months is the CIF needs to sit down and come up with rules that apply equally to all sports.

I’ve seen far worse sportsmanship in other sports, such as an opponent screaming profanities at their rival at halftime.

When I hear it’s not the same. You’re right. Adams didn’t taunt her opponents after the race, didn’t scream obscenities at them.

She walked over to her dad, grabbed a fire extinguisher from him and sprayed her shoes, insinuating she was on fire.

While I do not expect the CIF to have a change of heart, reinstating her as the 400 champion is the right thing to do. She’ll never get the 200 back. But the 400 title is rightfully hers.

John Devine is a Herald sports writer.