The winner of the U.S. National Cross Country Trials is still in high school. The fifth-place finisher was disqualified because she was too old.

But neither of them could stop Lady Lion Colleen Glyde from making the team.

The top six finishers earned spots on the U.S. team and will go to Spain to race on March 23. Glyde finished the race in sixth place, but actually took fifth because Heidi Van Borkulo-Gol of Oregon was declared ineligible.

Van Borkulo-Gol will turn 20 before the year is out and for her to make the team, she would have had to remain 19.

"She was just one year too old," Coach Teri Jordan said. "The mistake came because they didn't read the information close enough."

The disqualification does not affect Glyde, because she would have made the team anyhow. Glyde conquered the international distance of 4,000 meters in 14:46 and will now be heading to Amorebieta, Spain to race on March 23.

"I think it will be fun," Glyde said. "It's just an honor to go."

Glyde defeated Molly Lori of Michigan for the second time at the trials. Glyde won Big Ten Freshman of the Year honors, finishing eight spots ahead of Lori in the Big Ten Cross Country Championships.

Lori finished in seventh place at the trials, but because of the disqualification, she and Glyde will now be teammates for the United States.

Lori's teammate at Michigan, Katy Hollbacher, finished second at the trials and will also be traveling to Spain with the team.

But the fact that Glyde will be racing with these two Big Ten opponents makes no difference to her. The women's track team travels to Michigan for a meet this weekend, and for Glyde it will be business as usual.

"When you race against them, of course they're going to be your competitors," Glyde said. "It's the difference between being on and off the track."

Glyde was content with her performance at the trials, although the switch from running on a track to running outside, plus the long trip to Sandport, Ore., were not very helpful.

"I was tired out a little bit from the trip, but I'm glad I made it," Glyde said. "Everyone else had the same circumstances."

Jordan said the trial race was close all the way and that with only 600 meters remaining, Glyde was up near the front of the pack and was aiming for first place.

"She ran to win," Jordan said. "She didn't, but when you run like that, you eventually will."