Amaris Tyynismaa recently ran the fastest 5K in the history of Alabama girls at Footlocker South. The Catholic Montgomery 8th grader ran 16:57 on Saturday breaking the previous top Alabama time of 17:12 held by Carmen Carlos. Carlos advanced to Nationals and placed 12th.
Tyynismaa however was forced to run in the 13-14 age group and not allowed to advance to nationals. She was placed in a mixed race and beat all but one boy. So when the field lines up in San Diego on December 13th, one of the top runners will be left out.
On a side note, Nike Cross Nationals does allow non-high school advancers. I realize the coure is different but 16:57 would have won the NXN SE race. Even her State meet time would have advanced her to Portland.
