“you’ll still have to do things like mail in your old passport and a new photo as well as the paperwork that’s typically associated with getting a new passport”

Sounds like a convoluted solution to a simple problem.

He didn’t have enough to pass Emma, so he was betting to make sure the 3rd place guy couldn’t pass him in case Emma bet big and answered incorrectly. It was his only play. 

“So Cummins is resigned to starting her college career at Miami next season, and with only three seasons of athletic eligibility.”