ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla — The fastest teen in the country is forgoing a college career for professional track and field.
After graduating from Creekside High this year, Christian Miller planned on attending the University of Georgia.
"After weeks of consultation with my family, mentors and coaches, I have decided to forgo my NCAA eligibility and pursue a professional career as a full-time track and field athlete. I'm excited for what comes next and can't wait to bring you all on this journey with me," Miller wrote on Instagram.
Miller ran the 100-meter final in the U.S. Olympic Trials and finished in 5th place, but was denied a place in the relay pool.
That was largely due Team USA Track and Field criteria such as an athlete's place in the Olympic Trials, world rankings and how many professional relays an athlete competed in. Given Miller's amateur status, that was too high a bar for selection.
He missed automatically qualifying to run an individual race in the Olympics by .10 seconds.
"God brought me to this position, being fifth in the relay pool," Miller said at the time. "So if that was a part of his plan, then they'll end up selecting me for the relay and you guys can watch me again down in Paris. But if that's not his plan, I know I had an amazing season with amazing points that I made and some amazing milestones that I hit that will stay with history for the rest of my life."
However, Miller was also awarded the Gatorade National Boys Track and Field Player of the Year, the first for an athlete in any sport in Northeast Florida.
"In the finals, when I was lined up to previous world champions and Olympians, it was a crazy moment because I used to watch all of them and think these guys are amazing," Miller told First Coast News. "So, to think I was on the same line with them was amazing."
