Tyynismaa runs 17:14 for fourth straight 4A title

By Doug Binder, DyeStat Editor

Amaris Tyynismaa of Montgomery Catholic began winning Alabama cross country state titles as an eighth grader in 2014 and she made it four straight Class 4A individual wins Saturday at Oakville Indian Mounds.

But what made Saturday’s win impressive is that she ran 17:14.4, nearly as fast as she ran when she set the meet record of 17:03.1 in her sensational debut three years ago. Tyynismaa is undefeated in 2017 and could be ready to make an impact nationally in the postseason. She won her race by nearly 90 seconds and was at least 45 seconds faster than the other girls race winners.

James Sweeney of Vestavia Hills ran 15:38.7 for the fastest time of the day, taking the Class 7A individual title.

Grace Jensen of McGill-Toolen won her second straight 7A girls title in 18:00.6. Auburn put five runners in the top 17 to win the team title. Mountain Brook edged Huntsville for the team victory, 74-78.

Will Stone led Homewood to the Class 6A team title with his individual win coming in 15:46.2. A junior, Stone won his second straight title, and by a margin of 17 seconds. Freshman Mary Claire Ridgeway of Florence won the girls race by 28 seconds in 18:20.0.

Senior Zack Howard from Briarwood Christian won the 5A boys race in 16:16.1. Eighth-grader Olivia Andrews from Faith Academy took the girls victory in 18:59.4. Scottsboro swept the team titles.

Tanner King of Northside won the 4A boys race in 15:55.5.

Freshman Olivia Blackmon won the 3A girls race by 30 seconds in 18:56.9 and led T R Miller to the team title. Seniors Taylor Ray (16:40.8) and David Barrett (16:46.4) went 1-2 to lead American Christian to the team title.

Andrew Sweeney of St. Bernard Prep ran 16:02.5 for the 2A/1A victory. Leahrose Mami, also from St. Bernard Prep, won the girls race in 19:24.3.

RESULTS – Class 7A | Class 6A | Class 5A | Class 4A | Class 3A | Class 2A/1A

Team Champions

Class 7A Boys – Mountain Brook 74 points

Class 7A Girls – Auburn 40 points

Class 6A Boys – Homewood 54 points

Class 6A Girls – Fort Payne 51 points

Class 5A Boys – Scottsboro 33 points

Class 5A Girls – Scottsboro 59 points

Class 4A Boys – Trinity Presbyterian 54 points

Class 4A Girls – Randolph 45 points

Class 3A Boys – American Christian 34 points

Class 3A Girls – T R Miller 59 points

Class 2A/1A Boys – Westminster School at Oak Mountain 43 points

Class 2A/1A Girls – Westminster School at Oak Mountain 32 points