The South Tama County senior was the runner-up in the Class 3A 800 on Saturday at Drake Stadium in Des Moines for the final day of the Iowa High School Track & Field Championships.

Tyynismaa ran 1 minute, 53.20 seconds for silver; Western Dubuque sophomore Quentin Nauman, who was also the Drake Relays champion in this event, set a 3A record in 1:51.60.

Nauman broke the record of 1:52.61 set by Chase Lauman of Pella, who edged out Tyynismaa for gold in last year’s 800.

“I just have to keep improving,” said Tyynismaa, an Iowa State recruit. “Getting better at challenging myself is the most important step in my journey.”

Tyynismaa got out fast in the first lap, leading at the bell with a 55.7 split after 400 meters.

“That’s where I wanted to be, I wanted to push it and not leave anything to a kick,” Tyynismaa said. “Everybody else was going to be coming with me. I wanted to get out there in that top spot.”

From there, Nauman took over, clearing the final 400 meters in 55.5 to speed past Tyynismaa in a manner similar to how Nauman won the Drake Relays title earlier this year.

“I didn’t have enough to close it out today,” Tyynismaa said. “Nauman’s really talented, I knew I had my work cut out for me, but I just didn’t have enough in the tank.”

He returned with Trojan teammate James Brant for the 1,600.

“I made sure to cool down, hydrate, eat a bit, but I was just zonked from that race earlier,” Tyynismaa said. “I could feel it. I didn’t have anything.”

On the bubble of earning a medal in the event throughout most of the race, he answered the call of the bell for the final lap to take seventh in 4:22.28, going out as a nine-time state medalist.

“I heard the bell and told myself it was time to send it,” Tyynismaa said. “Time to give it everything I had.”

Nauman won the 1,600, too, in 4:12.80, one of four state titles on the weekend.

Brant, a Central College commit, finished 12th in 4:28.97 in the mile run, short of his goal of adding to his own state medal total of five for his high school career. Brant and Tyynismaa were also on the 4×800 and distance medley relays that finished in second and third this weekend.

“I’m a little disappointed,” Brant said of the solo mile run. “But the two relays we ran this weekend were outstanding, so that’s good to close my high school career on. … And when I look back at what I’ve done in total over my four years, freshman me would’ve been really happy with that.”

Saturday brought an end to an era for the STC boys.

“We started this journey together in seventh grade and we all stuck it out,” Tyynismaa said. “We spent a lot of time together just working out, having fun, doing homework, being kids. It means a lot to be here with my best friends.”

While the Trojans might not be teammates again, their shared passion for running will keep them together for years to come.

“We’re still going to be running together as much as we can,” Tyynismaa said. “Over the summer when James is home, get a run in, or even just hang out. This isn’t the end.”

Brant added, “All my best memories of my four years have to do with my teammates. They’re the reason I love this sport so much. I’m excited, too, because I know a lot of the guys on Central’s team and I know they’re going to be great teammates, too. … My teammates just make it great for me.”